The orca is the top predator in the marine foodweb (“king of the sea”) and
the array of species on which orcas prey is extremely diverse, consisting
out of fish, squid, marine turtles, birds and marine mammals. Within this
last group more than 35 species of whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and
sea lions are included in their diet. Specific populations show a high
degree of specialization on particular prey species.
For example, the population present in Patagonian waters is highly
specialized in predating sea lions by ‘intentional stranding’ even though
their complete diet is mixed. Moreover it is believed that this behaviour
can only be seen in Península Valdés and at the Crozet Islands.
The orca is the only marine mammal species that regularly prey on other
marine mammals. Groups of orcas will even prey on larger cetaceans such as
mink whales, gray whales, female and juvenile sperm whales or young blue
whales. These large whales are typically killed by drowning.
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