Story: Orcas

Orcas chasing dusky dolphins

Orcas chasing dusky dolphins

Orcas are sometimes called the wolves of the sea because of their tendency to hunt as a pack, as seen here. In one attack witnessed off Kaikōura Peninsula, a large female orca led the pack by launching herself into a group of dusky dolphins. The duskies panicked and scattered, allowing the other orcas to pick them off individually.

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Photograph by Dennis Buurman

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How to cite this page:

Gerard Hutching, 'Orcas - Feeding and other habits', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/4660/orcas-chasing-dusky-dolphins (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Gerard Hutching, published 12 Jun 2006