@c5news: Scientists have captured “eye-opening” footage of orcas ramming into sharptail sunfish with such force, that it shatters into fragments. The footage of the apex predators, recorded off the coast of Mexico in 2024 and 2025, have now been published in the journal Frontiers in Ethology. A diver can be heard saying “Oh, my God” as one orca held the fish carcass while another accelerated toward it at high speed, striking it with explosive force. The impact caused the fish to break apart into hundreds of smaller pieces, scattering through the water. Researchers have termed the behaviour 'ram-to-fragment' and believe that by breaking large prey into smaller portions, adult orcas could be making it easier for younger members of the pod to feed. However, scientists suggest it could be a form of play. Orcas are well-known for their intelligence, and so the dramatic smashing of the sunfish could be social bonding. Dr Kathryn Ayres said that seeing it first-hand was "eye-opening" and that, despite being among the most studied marine mammals, they "continue to surprise us." #orca #news #fyp

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Thursday 23 July 2026 14:03:56 GMT