Killer whales, , are well-known for their distinctive black and white colouring and predatory instincts. They are seen in all of the world’s oceans, but local populations seem to have developed their own cultures. Here are some of the killer whales’ learned behaviours. Caroline Morley
Read more: “Zoologger: Cultured killer whales learn by copying”
Start them young
Other top marine predators, like great white sharks, are solitary and have little input in rearing their offspring. Killer whales, in contrast, are , giving ample opportunity to disseminate skills to young members of the group.
(Image: John Hyde/Getty Images)
You can run but you can’t hide
Seals are a common food for many populations of killer whales – but being amphibious, seals can escape their marine predators by hauling themselves on to land. In some areas, such as Patagonia (shown here), the beach is no longer a safe haven for seals. Killer whales have learnt to beach themselves to catch their prey.
(Image: Morales/Getty Images)
Your fate is sealed
Meanwhile, in the Antarctic, seals resting on ice floes could find their floating refuge upturned. Killer whales work together to create waves that rock the ice and roll the seal back into the water. In this photo, two killer whales are to get a closer look at the crabeater seals () lying on an ice floe.
(Image: Rick Price/Getty Images)
Stunningly tasty food
In the , killer whales use another group hunting strategy known as carousel feeding to target schools of herring. Seen here in Norway, the method is known for attracting a chaotic collection of seabirds. However, under the waves the whales are involved in a highly coordinated attack. First they herd the herring into a tight ball at the surface, then they stun the fish by slapping them with their tails.
(Image: David Yarrow Photography/Getty Images)
… and exfoliate
Not all killer whale culture is about hunting. This photograph from British Columbia, Canada, shows the killer whales’ more playful side. In a game known as beach rubbing, killer whales swim close to the ocean floor to scrape their skin along the gravel. This is thought to help them groom and remove parasites.
(Image: Flip Nicklin/Minden Pictures/Getty Images)
