Highlights
- Killer whales hunt moose in the coastal waters of the Pacific Northwest.
- Moose swim to find aquatic plants with essential nutrients, like sodium.
- Deep inlets and fjords in Alaska and British Columbia bring moose into orca territory.
- Orcas use their speed and strategy to hunt moose swimming too far from shore.
- Moose are skilled swimmers but vulnerable to orcas in deeper waters.
Killer whales (or orcas) are among the most skilled predators of the sea. They are often known for hunting seals, fish, or even great white sharks.
But in the coastal waters of the Pacific Northwest, orcas sometimes hunt an unexpected prey—moose! This unique interaction highlights the adaptability and intelligence of both species.
Orcas and Moose
The overlap of these two different habitats is surprising. Moose typically dwell in dense forests, feeding on plants. However, they need essential nutrients, particularly sodium, which is scarce in their regular diet.
To get more sodium, they eat aquatic plants like lilies and pondweed. This search for nutrition takes them into coastal waters where their paths can cross with orcas.
Where Killer Whales Hunt Moose
In areas like British Columbia and Alaska, deep inlets and fjords come right up to the coast. Moose often swim between islands or along the shore, venturing into deeper waters.
Their impressive swimming skills help them escape land predators like wolves or bears, but they fall prey to the speedy and strategic killer whales.
Orcas are built for these waters. They can reach lengths of up to 30 feet and weigh more than 12,000 lbs.
These “wolves of the sea” move at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour, using the narrow fjords to corner and attack their prey. One notable incident in 1992 in Alaska saw a pod of four Biggs’ killer whales successfully hunt a swimming moose.
Why Killer Whales Target Moose
Though orcas typically feed on marine animals, they are opportunistic hunters and adjust their diet based on what’s available.
A moose can offer a substantial meal when circumstances align. When orcas hunt moose, it’s likely due to these land mammals swimming too far from shore, entering deep channels where orcas can strike with precision.
Moose are impressive swimmers with strong legs, capable of covering miles in water. However, they are not equipped to outswim a coordinated orca pod in deep waters. For orcas, hunting a moose offers a rare opportunity to exploit their remarkable hunting skills.
In coastal waters like Alaska and British Columbia, where killer whales hunt moose, these two massive animals showcase an extraordinary interaction that demonstrates the power and adaptability of orcas and the swimming prowess of moose.