Massive Great White Shark Found On Beach Was No Match For An Orca

A grisly discovery on an Australian beach has demonstrated just how ferocious killer whales can be. The carcass of a great white shark has been found washed up near Portland, Victoria. Experts have concluded that it was probably ripped apart by a pod of orcas. It looks as if the shark would have been around 9 or 10 feet in length and would not have been easy to overpower. Prior to this discovery, local residents had seen a pod of killer whales circling in the bay. There had also been local sightings of great whites in the area. The carcass was collected by the authorities and will be further examined.

What Do Killer Whales Normally Eat?

Killer whales are highly social and organized sea creatures. They live in groups called pods which can contain as many as 50 individuals. The pod works together to hunt their prey which is an extremely effective and efficient method of getting food. It makes them one of the most successful predators in the ocean. Studies of the stomach contents of orcas have revealed that they feed on seals, sea lions, and smaller whales and dolphins. On their menu, you will also find fish, sharks, sea turtles, and sea birds. Smaller prey is swallowed whole but larger prey is ripped up before it is consumed. They need around 100 pounds of food a day to keep them healthy.

Why Do Orca Rip Up Their Prey?

Orcas do not just rip up their prey to make it suitable for swallowing. They also have a preference for certain parts of the carcass. In fact, killer whales can be very fussy eaters. They have been seen attacking animals and sucking out just their livers. There have been previous reports of orcas going on killing sprees and killing several great white sharks only to eat their livers.

Killer whales are highly intelligent creatures and learn from their experiences. It is likely that they located the liver and used that knowledge in future hunts. Livers are a highly nutritious part of any carcass and provide a lot of energy for a predator. Shark livers are also buoyant – they float on the surface when the shark is ripped apart so they are easy to spot. There have also been instances where orcas have just eaten the tongue of an animal and left the rest of the carcass.

Which Animals Can Kill Great White Sharks?

There are very few animals that can overpower an adult great white shark. They are large animals that can reach 21 feet in length and weigh up to 5,000 pounds. Great whites also have a lot of very sharp teeth!

Killer whales are likely the only sea animal that preys successfully on adult great whites. Potentially, sperm whales could hunt smaller great white sharks as could the colossal and giant squid. However, humans have caused more damage to great white shark populations than any other animal.