Short Wave Orcas: Apex Predators Or Marine Park Stars?
Mar 1, 2022
Lauren Sommer, an NPR science correspondent, joins the conversation about orcas and their dual identity as top predators and marine park stars. She discusses groundbreaking research documenting orcas attacking a blue whale, highlighting their intelligence and hunting prowess. The podcast also explores how human perceptions of these creatures have evolved, reflecting more on society than on the orcas themselves. From their complex social structures to their dominant role in the ocean, Sommer sheds light on the nuanced reality of killer whales.
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Orcas Hunt Blue Whale
- Researchers documented orcas successfully killing a blue whale.
- The orcas, much smaller than the whale, worked together in a coordinated attack, drowning it and eating its tongue.
White Sharks Fear Orcas
- White sharks seem to be scared of orcas and avoid them.
- When orcas swim through an area, tagged white sharks leave immediately and don't return for months.
Orcas' Shark-Hunting Technique
- Orcas are known to attack and eat white sharks.
- They have a gruesome technique of biting into the shark, squeezing it until its liver pops out.