A group of orcas in the Gulf of California was caught on camera collaborating to shatter dead sunfish into fragments. This unusual behavior involves one orca seizing the fish’s tail, known as a clavus, in its mouth and releasing it just as another orca approaches at high speed, resulting in the sunfish exploding into pieces.
Scientists from the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Mexico detailed this behavior in a recent study published in the journal Frontiers of Ethology. The researchers speculate that this behavior could assist younger orcas in feeding more efficiently or simply be a form of amusement, as orcas are known to play with their food.
The sunfish targeted in these incidents were sharp-tail sunfish, which can reach lengths of up to three meters and weigh two tonnes. Prior to the smashing, the orcas had already removed the sunfish’s internal organs. While the adult orcas were responsible for breaking the sunfish, the younger orcas consumed the majority of the resulting pieces, while the adults focused on the larger remaining chunk.
The initial observation and filming of this behavior were made by Kathryn Ayres, a scientist with the ocean conservation group Beneath the Waves, in July 2024. Another similar incident was documented in September 2025 by Héctor Franz, a digital creator involved in ecotourism. Co-author of the study, Erick Higuera, mentioned witnessing comparable behavior in 2021 within the same region.
The researchers could not ascertain if the same orcas were involved in both incidents due to unclear footage. They proposed that the unique structure of the sunfish species’ clavus might be the reason for it breaking into pieces upon impact. This distinct clavus may make it easier for orcas to manipulate and hold steady for smashing.
Orcas have previously exhibited behavior where they tear prey into smaller portions to share with their offspring. Marine ecologist Robert Pitman from Oregon State University suggested that this smashing technique might allow orcas to access the meat without wearing down their teeth on the fish’s scales.
Although orcas have been seen ramming boats off the coasts of Spain and Portugal, potentially for recreational purposes, the act of ramming prey to disintegrate it is a new observation. Kathryn Ayres expressed her astonishment at the ongoing surprises presented by these iconic marine predators.