The mystery that surprises – why orcas kill sharks
Orcas attack great white sharks, extracting and eating only the liver — an organ extremely rich in fats and lipids. This selectivity is explained by the high energy value of the liver of cartilaginous fish. Such skills are not innate but are passed down from generation to generation, forming unique hunting traditions. The presence of orcas dramatically changes shark behavior, forcing them to leave their usual habitats.
Orcas, occupying the top of the marine food chain, demonstrate astonishing selectivity in their diet: when attacking great white sharks, they purposefully extract and eat only the liver. This organ in cartilaginous fish is extremely rich in fats and lipids, representing a colossal concentration of calories. Such incidents have been recorded, in particular, in the Gulf of California. The skills of this hunting are not mere instinct — young orcas learn them from older relatives, forming a culture passed down through generations. The presence of orcas dramatically changes shark behavior: off the coast of South Africa, populations of great whites have left their usual habitats due to the constant threat.