Orcas revive quirky trend of wearing salmon on their heads after 37 years

iflscience.com November 27, 2024, 10:01 PM UTC

Orcas have resumed a quirky behavior of wearing dead salmon on their heads, a trend last seen in 1987. Recent sightings in Puget Sound show members of "J pod" sporting salmon hats, likely due to an abundance of fish. This behavior may serve as a form of storage for excess salmon rather than a fashion statement. The trend spread quickly among orcas in the past, but it disappeared until now, raising questions about its purpose. In addition to this trend, orcas have been observed engaging in playful yet destructive behaviors, such as interacting with fishing gear and harassing porpoises. The reasons behind these actions remain unclear.


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