Killer whales prefer to hunt for herring in pairs, researchers reported in Current Biology. They divide hunting tasks in a coordinated and cooperative manner, often with a long-term partner. In the new study, 26 killer whales were tailed using camera-equipped drones.
Larger, older, whales pair up with smaller, younger ones to hunt, the team found. The larger whale — the striker — rotates its body toward its smaller partner — the helper — who stays about one-and-a-half body lengths away and acts as a barrier to fish trying to swim away. This helps maximise the catch, which they share.
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