Killer Whale: The Most Dangerous Animal on Earth
Killer whales, also known as Orcinus orca, are one of the most fearsome and powerful marine animals today. Adult killer whales can reach a length of up to 10 meters and a weight of up to 10 tons. They are not only famous for their enormous size but also for their sharp teeth, which help them attack and kill any marine animal. Their flexibility and strength make killer whales a terrifying threat even to ferocious sharks.
The Scary Killer Whale Attack
October 2020, David, an experienced sailor, had a terrifying experience with a killer whale while taking a yacht from France to the Strait of Gibraltar. At first, David and his crew thought they were facing a pod of dolphins, but quickly realized that they were killer whales, large in size and distinctive in color. Panic increased when the killer whales began to attack the yacht, causing continuous, powerful collisions for two hours, trying to capsize the 14-meter-long vessel.
Characteristics and Behavior of Killer Whales
Killer whales, with the scientific name Orcinus orca, are the largest species of dolphins in the toothed whale family. They are notable for their black and white fur and ability to attack pods. Killer whales not only use their muscular strength but also demonstrate outstanding intelligence. In the natural environment, they can attack and kill sharks to eat their livers, considered the most nutritious part of the shark’s stomach.
Killer whales often attack and kill sharks in a very brutal way. They attack in packs, killing and dismembering sharks to eat their livers – considered the most nutritious part of the shark’s stomach.
Ship Attacks
Since June 2020, killer whales have been attacking ships in the Strait of Gibraltar. According to a report from The Guardian, there have been more than 500 recorded attacks, the majority of which have occurred on sailing vessels. Although no human casualties have been recorded, the material damage has been significant. Many of the attacks have been recorded and posted on the website orcas.pt, providing useful information for boat owners to avoid high-risk areas.
The exact cause of the killer whale attacks on ships is still unclear. Some theories suggest that killer whales may react to the presence of “giant foreign objects” that make noise, while others suggest that this may be their recreational behavior when they feel full. Some have proposed closing part of the Strait of Gibraltar to protect ships, but this could have a serious impact on shipping.
While the exact reason is still unknown, orcas attacking ships is a problem that needs to be addressed. Hopefully, in the future, these whales will return to normal behavior and no longer pose a threat to humans.
