Sharing Orcas

Cats sometimes drop food at their owner’s front door—lizards, mice, or other small prey. A recent study found that killer whales sometimes offer food to people as well. But the reason for that sharing is unclear.

Orcas are social animals. They hunt together, they play, and they share their food. And they’re often found around people. They swim along with boats and divers, and they’ve even hunted with human fishers.

In a recent study, scientists compiled reports of orcas sharing food with people on boats, in the water, or on shore. They found 34 examples, including some from their own experience. Many of the events were photographed or caught on video. To qualify for the study, a whale had to approach the people, not the other way around. It had to get close before releasing the food. And it couldn’t take the food back right away—it had to wait for a response from the people.

The sharing orcas included males and females, of all ages. Sometimes a single whale made the offer, but sometimes it was two or more. They offered fish, birds, mammals, and other treats. They sometimes waited minutes for a response. And if the human didn’t snatch the food, or gave it back, the whale sometimes offered it again.

The researchers said there could be several reasons for the sharing. It could be a way to communicate or to learn more about the people. It could simply be a way of playing. Or it could be a way to lure the people in—a not-so-friendly way of sharing.