Meet one of the most intelligent predators in the ocean: the B1 Killer Whale Population. Just last week, new footage dropped of this arctic pod of killer whales displaying very rarely documented, slightly horrifying, yet incredible behaviors. But before we get into that, let’s get a background on killer whale pods.
Killer Whales are separated into four ecotypes: A, B (1 and 2), C, and D. B1 Killer Whales are a subset of the Type B ecotype, classified as having a very large eyepatch, a gray speckled pattern on their back called a dorsal cape, and are typically smaller than Type A killer whales. The B1 population differs from the B2 population in a couple of different ways. B1 Killer Whales are generally smaller, feed on almost exclusively seals, travel in small groups and stick around their ice flats where they easily hunt (…possible foreshadowing?). The B2 population, on the other hand, is larger, travels in larger groups, feeds on penguins, fish, and sometimes seals, and often ventures into open Antarctic waters.
So, what incredible behavior did we observe of these B1 populations? Three larger female killer whales had zoned in on their favorite prey, a Weddell seal, basking in the sun on an ice flat. Because these adorable seals are very large and lazy, they are pretty easy meals when they’re in the water. However, being up on the ice flat means these whales have to work together to get this seal in the water. The three whales start using their incredibly powerful tails to whip towards the ice flat, and right before they reach it, they flip on their sides and dive under the ice flat in perfect unison. The sheer power and body size of these animals are enough to generate a powerful wave over the ice, cracking it and leaving the seal flailing.
Now, this doesn’t usually work the first time, but scientists have very rarely seen It fail. This behavior has been observed with 5 waves at the ice and with 30+. It may take hours, but eventually, the ice will break apart, and the seal is grabbed by a killer whale.
The behavior has been described by scientists as almost watching training instead of hunting. Matriarchs often take their young to these hunts and demonstrate this behavior, which has most likely been passed on for generations. Very few other animals demonstrate this complex behavior, using water as a tool.
While intelligence is off the charts, unfortunately, arctic killer whales are faced with much bigger threats. Global warming is causing these ice flats to vanish, and the Weddell seals along with it. It is estimated that B1 killer whales are losing over 5% of their population every year, and if the population goes extinct, this incredible behavior might be lost forever.