Orcas seen ramming prey so hard it explodes may be playing game
Orcas have been known to exhibit play behaviour such as throwing kelp at each other and engaging in tactical games. Photograph: James RD Scott/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenOrcas have been known to exhibit play behaviour such as throwing kelp at each other and engaging in tactical games. Since the fish had already been killed, scientists suggested the behaviour may represent a form of play.Dr Kathryn Ayres, a scientist at non-profit organisation Beneath The Waves, said: “We think this may help younger orcas feed more easily or it could also just be for fun.
- ▪Orcas have been known to exhibit play behaviour such as throwing kelp at each other and engaging in tactical games.
- ▪Photograph: James RD Scott/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenOrcas have been known to exhibit play behaviour such as throwing kelp at each other and engaging in tactical games.
- ▪Since the fish had already been killed, scientists suggested the behaviour may represent a form of play.Dr Kathryn Ayres, a scientist at non-profit organisation Beneath The Waves, said: “We think this may help younger orcas feed more easily
3 outlets in our directory ran this story, first to last over 29 hours. Coverage spans 2 points on the political spectrum — 1 lean left, 1 centre.
- ▪ Video: Scientists watch orcas ram a sunfish so hard it explodes — NPR Topics: News
- ▪ ‘Oh my god!’ Why an orca rammed a sunfish so hard it exploded — The Sydney Morning Herald
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| Original publisher | World news | The Guardian |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/23/orcas-ramming-prey-hard-explodes-playing-game |
| Publication time | Thu, 23 Jul 2026 04:00:34 GMT |
| Retrieval time | 2026-07-23T04:29:06.853Z |
| Last seen | 2026-07-23T04:41:12.299Z |
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| Cluster | sGYp-R-WooPd · 3 stories |
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Orcas have been known to exhibit play behaviour such as throwing kelp at each other and engaging in tactical games. Photograph: James RD Scott/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenOrcas have been known to exhibit play behaviour such as throwing kelp at each other and engaging in tactical games. Photograph: James RD Scott/Getty ImagesMarine lifeOrcas seen ramming prey so hard it explodes may be playing gameScientists believe sunfish-smashing behaviour could be form of entertainment or to help younger whales feedHannah Devlin Science correspondentThu 23 Jul 2026 00.00 EDTLast modified on Thu 23 Jul 2026 00.01 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleOrcas have been observed ramming into giant fish so hard that the prey explode, possibly as a form of gory entertainment.On several occasions, orcas…
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