Orcas ramming sunfish to explode them, possibly for play or feeding
Consensus Summary
Orcas in the Gulf of California have been filmed ramming sunfish at high speeds, causing them to explode into fragments. The behaviour was first documented in 2024 and again in late 2025, with footage showing adult orcas holding sunfish while others charge into them. Scientists suggest the ramming could serve practical purposes, like breaking the tough sunfish into bite-sized pieces for juveniles, or it may be a form of play. Sunfish involved weighed up to 2,000kg and measured over 3 metres in length. The events were captured by marine biologists using underwater cameras, and the findings were published in *Frontiers in Ethology*. While both sources agree on the core observations, details like the exact timing of the first sighting and historical context differ slightly. The behaviour highlights the complex social and hunting strategies of orcas, with implications for both feeding and play.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Orcas were observed ramming sunfish so hard they exploded in the Gulf of California, with the first event filmed in 2024
- A second ramming event was recorded in late 2025 in the Gulf of California
- Sunfish involved in the ramming events weighed up to 2,000kg and were over 3 metres long
- The behaviour was documented by marine biologist Erick Higuera and Dr Kathryn Ayres, with footage captured using underwater cameras
- Juvenile orcas were observed eating the smaller pieces of sunfish created by the ramming, while adults fed on the main carcass
- The ramming behaviour was published in the journal *Frontiers in Ethology*
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The first ramming event was captured on a GoPro camera by Dr Kathryn Ayres in July 2024, with an audible 'acoustic thud' described
- A female orca gripped the tail of the sunfish while an adult male rammed it, leaving a plume of white fragments
- Mexico issued new regulations on swimming with orcas last year (2025)
- In the 1980s, a pod of orcas started carrying dead salmon on their heads like hats, a trend recently revived
- A subpopulation of orcas off Spain and Portugal throws kelp at each other, surfs in boat wakes, and engages in tactical games
- The second event was filmed by herpetologist Héctor Franz in late 2025
- The sunfish species involved was identified as *Masturus lanceolatus* (sharptail sunfish)
- Wounds on the sunfish indicated some organs had already been eaten by the orcas before ramming
- A pod led by a male orca called Moctezuma specializes in hunting sharks and rays in the Gulf of California
- Field biologist John Totterdell suggested the ramming technique helps avoid wearing down orcas' teeth on the sunfish's abrasive skin
- Marine biologist Marianne Nyegaard noted sunfish use evasive behaviours like breaching and thrashing fins to deter orcas
- There are 42 documented orca-sunfish interactions from 1961 to 2022, with most involving single orcas
- Dr Bec Wellard observed orcas 'booping' sunfish in Western Australia
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states the first ramming event was filmed in July 2024, while ABC only specifies 2024 without a month
- The Guardian mentions the behaviour was first witnessed by Erick Higuera in 2021, but ABC does not confirm this exact date
- The Guardian references a trend of orcas carrying salmon like hats in the 1980s, while ABC does not mention this specific historical behaviour
- The Guardian notes sunfish can weigh up to 2,000kg, while ABC states they can weigh more than 2 tonnes (implied equivalence but not identical phrasing)
Source Articles
Orcas seen ramming prey so hard it explodes may be playing game
Scientists believe sunfish-smashing behaviour could be form of entertainment or to help younger whales feed Orcas have been observed ramming into giant fish so hard that the prey explode, possibly as a form of gory entertainment. On several occasions, orcas were observed to hold sunfish in their jaws while a second whale smashed into the target at high speed, causing it to break into thousands of pieces. Since the fish had already been killed, scientists suggested the behaviour may represent a f
'Oh my God' moment orcas filmed ramming sunfish so hard it explodes
Underwater video captures the moment killer whales in the Gulf of California slam into a sunfish causing it to explode into smithereens. Researchers suspect the orcas are blowing up the fish to provide food — and possibly fun — for the group.