Sperm whales poo on attacking orcas

Marine biologists are left scratching their heads after the ocean giants appear to use faeces to foil predatory orcas

- Melissa Hobson

Whale-watchers off Western Australia recently observed what appeared to be a pod of sperm whales defending themselves from orcas using a huge cloud of faeces, but whether it was a tactic or a coincidence remains a mystery.

Jennah Tucker, a marine biologist at Naturaliste Charters, witnessed the orcas taking off as if in pursuit of prey. The boat followed from a distance, and the observers on board expected to see a beaked whale – a common prey item for these orcas. Instead, they came across four adult sperm whales and a juvenile in a tight huddle, appearing distressed as the orcas circled them.