23. Killer Whales: Apex Alliances
Killer whales, or orcas, reign as the ultimate strategists of the sea. Within their pods, they develop coordinated hunting strategies—from beaching themselves to herd seals, to creating waves that wash prey off ice floes. These techniques are passed down through generations, making orca culture uniquely sophisticated. Sometimes, killer whales even “tax” other marine mammals by stealing their catches, cementing their role as apex predators and enforcers of the ocean’s pecking order. Explore their social structure