Recently, the search term Blue Whale Bitten in Half 2021 has become very popular. This trend has been spurred by a recent incident where a white shark attacked a blue whale and sliced it in half. The video of the attack is incredibly shocking and the internet is agog. But why has this happened? And what can we learn from it? Let’s explore some of the reasons why a blue whale may be a vulnerable target for sharks.
Sharks have a keener sense of smell than other sharks
Scientists have long wondered if sharks have a superior sense of smell. This is because sharks’ nares are very sensitive, working in stereo so that one nare will detect a scent before the other. This can be crucial for survival, as a single drop of blood can travel over a mile. It’s this heightened sense of smell that gives sharks their unique sense of smell, making them superior hunters.
Scientists have also studied the olfactory abilities of sharks and discovered that their sense of smell is much stronger than that of other sharks. Sharks can detect small concentrations of amino acids, but they still might not be able to distinguish a possible meal from a random piece of aquatic debris. Scientists at Boston University have studied shark olfaction and are impressed with what they’ve learned so far, but say there’s much more to be learned.
Orcas eat only half of their prey
Did you know that orcas can eat almost half their prey? Their large throats allow them to easily swallow chunks of meat. Even the largest adult orcas can swallow a seal whole. They have a large appetite and can eat up to half of their body weight. While orcas don’t usually eat half of their prey, they will often gorge on half of it.
While orcas are great apex predators, they are not as effective at catching their prey. Dolphins are extremely difficult for orcas to catch, even with their high-speed chasing skills. The best way to stop an orca from catching its prey is to ram it into its prey. These animals swim at speeds of 54 km/h. However, it doesn’t seem that orcas eat nearly half of their prey because they can’t open their mouth in time.
Blue whales communicate with other whales almost 1000 miles away
While humans are unable to hear blue whales, they can hear them and communicate with one another by emitting a series of low-frequency pulses, groans, and moans. Because of their excellent hearing, whales can hear each other from a distance of more than a thousand miles. Among other things, blue whales use their sounds to start their migration and to avoid naval sonar and predators.
It is estimated that the average blue whale weighs between 100 and 120 tons, while larger blue whales can weigh over 200 tonnes. This makes them the equivalent of 25 fully grown African bull elephants. Humans, by contrast, weigh less than a mouse. These creatures are also very sociable and communicate with other whales almost 1000 miles away. Fortunately for humans, blue whales can often be spotted off the coast of continental U.S. states during migration.
White sharks are rare and not often spotted
If you’ve never seen a white shark, you might be surprised to learn that they live near Cape Cod. While they’re not common to sight, they’re often found off the coast of Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, and the Space Coast. In fact, a great white was recently seen close to shore off Key Biscayne, Florida. This elusive predator was presumably seeking food and avoiding other predators. Some divers have attempted to get close to these magnificent creatures but have been unsuccessful.
The mating behaviour of white sharks has not been fully documented, but it is assumed that it is similar to that of other sharks. The male inserts claspers into the cloaca of the female to reproduce. While the actual courtship behaviour of white sharks is unknown, it is estimated that males reach sexual maturity at three to four meters and females reach sexual maturity at about 12 to 18 years of age. The young may feed on undeveloped eggs or unborn siblings.