Scientists have made a fascinating discovery in the Gulf of California, where they have observed orcas ramming into giant sunfish with such force that the prey explodes. This behaviour has left researchers intrigued, with some speculating that it may be a form of play or a way to help younger whales feed.
The research, led by Dr Kathryn Ayres and Erick Higuera, was conducted by Beneath The Waves and Conexiones Terramar. In one instance, a female orca was seen gripping the tail of a sunfish carcass while an adult male accelerated towards it, causing an audible crunch as the impact occurred. The event was captured on a GoPro camera in July 2024.
In another instance, captured by a tourism operator in September 2025, an adult female orca was spotted holding out a dead sunfish while a second orca executed a high-speed ramming manoeuvre, breaking it into thousands of pieces. The events demonstrate an impressive level of cognitive sophistication, requiring the planning and coordination of several steps.
Dr Ayres and Mr Higuera suggest that the behaviour may be used to break the tough, rubbery sunfish into bite-size pieces for juveniles, whose jaws are smaller. However, orcas are also known for social fads and boisterous games that do not have an obvious practical purpose. In fact, orcas have been observed engaging in a range of playful activities, including carrying dead salmon on their head like hats.
The findings were reported in the journal Frontiers in Ethology, where researchers highlighted the importance of continued collaboration with eco-tour operators to safely document the mysteries of ocean life. However, concerns have been raised about the disruptive impact of wildlife tourism, with Mexico issuing new regulations on swimming with orcas last year.