Fish Or Meat? What Do Orcas Prefer?
Similar to humans who prefer fish or meat, orcas can have their own particular food preferences.
In the Atlantic Ocean, some researchers have suggested that the separate preferences for fish and meat among orcas also lead to other changes and preferences. Some suggest that the orcas separated into distinct species because of their diet: fish-eaters mate only with other fish-eaters, and mammal-eaters only with other mammal-eaters.
These scientists speculate that because the hunting tactics for fish versus mammals is different, the learned behavior of subsequent generations could lead to the fish-lovers and the mammal-hunters to become genetically distinct and unable to reproduce. A report of the fascinating possibility is posted here.
Photo of orcas breaching by Robert Pittman of the NOAA.
Copyright © 2013 by Open Water Swimming
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor – Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame’s Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame’s Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming’s Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University’s John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff.
