Blue Whale vs Orca: The Ultimate Battle of Predators in the Ocean
Orcas. Β Killer whales. Β Orcinus Orca. Β Do we love them or hate them? Β Β
The largest predation event on earth was filmed in the Sea of Cortez several weeks ago when a pod of 20 orcas took down a blue whale. Β
The footage is stunning. Itβs a helpless feeling watching the blue whale swim for its life. Eventually, the orcas were successful in their hunt, and yes, we know that was Mother Ocean at work and the natural way of things… But how can one not feel sorry for the poor, giant blue whale?
For sure, orcas are awesome to watch. Whale watchers get excited and even emotional the first time they see an orca. It really is thrilling.
We have certainly had many amazing encounters with orcas during mobula season in the Sea of Cortez when the killer whales have happened by and chosen to hang out with us. Β Perhaps our most amusing incident was last year when our 32 ft high speed RHIB was on an adventure with guests, and a pod of orcas appeared and circled immediately underneath the mothership, our Nautilus Gallant Lady. Β
The crew was super excited and took turns jumping in the water with the orcas, who were swimming up to check them out. It doesnβt get more special… Of course, our guests on the RHIB were not super happy about missing out, though!!!
Are orcas dangerous? Are they really “killer” whales? To put it mildly… Heck yes!
If you’re wondering why they’re called orcas and sometimes killer whales, we think you’ll love this recent blog: ‘Are Killer Whales Dolphins?‘ which explores their namesake and where they fit in the animal kingdom.
Orcas in the Sea of Cortez
Despite being apex predators, there have been no known orca attacks on humans. But in our time in the Sea of Cortez, we have observed orcas flipping mobula rays around, playing with them before killing them, chasing dolphins and killing them, same with porpoises. Β
We watched orcas take down a whale shark and then a second one shortly afterwards. Β We have even watched killer whales take down a minke whale. The great circle of life can make us very sad sometimes.
But we did not think that orcas could take down an adult baleen whale, especially a blue whale. While the blue whales we see are a subspecies that only grows to 90 feet compared to 110-foot giants that are resident in Antarctica, they are still mighty whales. The largest on earth. Β Incredibly inspiring AND GIANT when one sees one for the first time. One flick of their tail fluke would surely be enough to fatally injure the much smaller orcas, which are usually not much bigger than 20 feet.
The first known predation event took place in Australia in 2019 with a small adult blue whale, possibly 70 feet long. Β Β The next attack was also in Australia on a smaller 40-foot blue believed to be a large juvenile. Β Β Itβs hard to say exactly from this video, but this looks like a full-grown 90-foot blue whale. Itβs moving very fast, which is something we have never seen before. Β Beautiful. Β But also gruesome because of the end result. Β
This is the first known predation event with orcas and a blue whale in the Sea of Cortez!
Video Credit to @adamernsternwildlife
Stay Safe!
Captain Mike
