The orca, or killer whale, is a marine creature that has long baffled scientists. Initially, researchers were astounded to learn that killer whales hunt great white sharks, often not to eat them but specifically to consume their livers.
To this day, scientists have been unable to determine why killer whales suddenly began hunting great white sharks. Now, this marine creature has once again left scientists scratching their heads.
A strange behavior has been observed in a group of killer whales off the western coast of North America. Most of these killer whales have been spotted with dead salmon placed on their heads as if they are wearing them like hats.
This unusual trend was first noticed in the late 1980s, but now, nearly 40 years later, scientists are still unable to explain why killer whales are doing this.
The first observation occurred in 1987 when a female killer whale was seen carrying a dead fish on its snout in the northeast Pacific Ocean. Within a few weeks, other groups of killer whales adopted the same behavior. However, in 1988, killer whales suddenly stopped this practice. Now, once again, they are placing dead fish on their heads like hats.
It remains unclear whether the killer whales are expressing some sort of fashion or if they are storing food to eat later. Killer whales are known to store extra food in their fins, so it is possible that they are placing the fish on their heads for similar reasons.
Another possibility is that these “hats” may have some significance within the killer whale groups, or it could simply be some sort of play among these marine creatures.
According to experts, it is difficult to make any definitive statements about this behavior, and it has left researchers puzzled because its explanation is still unclear. Plans are underway to monitor this behavior using drones in an effort to understand its purpose.
Scientists believe that further observation may provide more details about this strange behavior.
