It happens with the orcas that live off the western coast of North America. What do they do? They swim with dead salmon on their heads. This phenomenon had already been observed in the 1980s, but for a short period of time. What is this about orcas and their “salmon hats”?
Scientists believe that this phenomenon may indicate changes in the processes taking place in the ocean. In 1987, scientists recorded an unusual image. One of the orcas began to balance with a salmon carcass on its head. Soon his example was followed by the entire group. For several weeks the orcas carried these “accessories” and then they stopped doing so.
Pleasure or feeding
In the fall of 2024, off the northwest coast of North America, the behavior was repeated. Why do they do it? It may be due to an attempt to stock up on food. And it is possible that this behavior is part of a game or similar social activity.
Orcas are known to hide remains of prey under their pectoral fins. So this behavior may be an evolutionary variant of this practice. Perhaps in orca communities these hats have cultural meaning. Or perhaps it is a bizarre incongruity that amuses the animals on a playful level.
Finally, it may just be a pleasurable sensation for the animals. Humpback whales have been seen wearing seaweed caps, leading some to speculate that they like the sensation. Orcas can live up to 90 years. So it is possible that these are the same individuals.
Unusual habits
Orcas are intelligent creatures capable of various forms of communication. This facilitates cultural exchange between different regions. They also hunt cooperatively, employing cunning strategies to capture prey. This suggests that new eating-related behaviors may emerge and spread from time to time.
Orcas and their “salmon hats” can serve as a warning. These habits sometimes show changes in ocean processes. For example, an increase in salmon populations can be related to climate changes that affect their habitat. This, in turn, affects food chains. Orcas depend largely on the number of salmon. The ocean ecosystem as a whole may be affected.
