Orcas in the Gulf of California have been filmed using teamwork to stun and hunt young great white sharks, marking a first in observed predatory behavior.

Orcas in the Gulf of California, known as Moctezuma's pod, have been filmed using a coordinated technique to hunt juvenile great white sharks by flipping them upside-down, inducing tonic immobility to access their nutrient-rich livers. Observed in 2020 and 2022, the behavior—likely learned and passed down—marks the first documented cases of orcas targeting young great whites in this region. Researchers suggest climate-driven shifts in shark nursery areas may increase encounters, while the pod’s specialized hunting reflects advanced intelligence and social learning. The study, published in Frontiers in Marine Science on November 3, 2025, highlights a significant shift in marine predator dynamics, though further research is needed to assess how widespread this behavior may be.