Scientists in the Gulf of California have observed a previously undocumented hunting behavior in orcas, where they use coordinated ramming to process dead sunfish.

In two separate incidents, one orca would grip a sunfish by its tail fin while another charged at high speed, breaking the carcass into thousands of fragments.This technique may aid younger orcas in feeding more easily or serve social/playing purposes.Sunfish, which can weigh up to 2,000 kg, are vulnerable due to their surface-resting behavior.The researchers suggest this method could enhance microbial exchange between sunfish and orcas, potentially offering nutritional benefits.While the exact intent remains unclear, the behavior highlights orcas' adaptability in food processing.The study underscores marine ecosystem dynamics and the complexity of predator-prey interactions in ocean environments.