Orcas hunting sharks and homosexual behavior in humpback whales: New marine studies reveal unusual behaviors

In a recent and unusual marine event, a single orca demonstrated remarkable predatory skill by hunting and consuming a great white shark off the coast of Mossel Bay, South Africa. This incident, documented for the first time, involved the orca, known as Starboard, attacking a juvenile great white shark and was noteworthy for its rarity and the lone method of attack. Typically, orcas are known to hunt in groups, making this solo hunt particularly significant. Dr. Alison Towner, who led the research, highlighted the event as exceptional; the attack was recorded and details were published in the African Journal of Marine Science. The occurrence brings to light new aspects of orca predatory behavior and raises questions about its impact on the marine ecological balance.

In another groundbreaking marine study, researchers have reported the first documented case of homosexual behavior between two male humpback whales near Maui, Hawaii. The observation was made when a private vessel came across two whales, an older and an unhealthy whale and a younger, healthier one, engaging in sexual activity. This discovery adds an intriguing layer to our understanding of humpback whale behavior, which has remained largely unexplored due to the challenges of underwater observation. Previous studies and observations have reported homosexual behavior in various animal species, including other marine mammals. This recent finding contributes to the broader exploration of sexual behavior in the animal kingdom and underscores the complexity of humpback whale interactions, urging further research in the field of marine mammalogy.