To keep the ecosystem healthy and the food chain in equilibrium, predation, and hunting are important. Under the water, Killer Whales also known as Orcas are the most powerful, and apex hunters. Being the dominant predators, Killer Whales include diversified food items in their diet. Not only seafood, but the Orcas also includes marine mammals in their menu. Now the confusion here is that do Killer Whales feeds on Moose – a member of the deer family or not.
If you are interested in learning more about the predatory–prey relationship between the Orcas and the Moose, then keep on reading to grab your answer.
Do Killer Whale Eat Moose?
Yes! The Orcas feed on moose because they feed on a variety of marine mammals. It is the favorite food of Killer Whales. Killer Whales are carnivorous species that always attack in a group, they grab the moose on its neck and hold them under the water until they die.
Do Killer Whales Feeds On Moose Regularly?
Well, there is no evidence that explains that Killer Whales feed on moose regularly but they occasionally do so. Some studies suggested that they feed on the carcasses of dead moose. Further, some theories depicted that the Orcas opportunistically feed on moose by grasping them unintentionally.
Where Do Killer Whales Attack On Moose?
Killer Whales have a wide distribution in the open waters of the ocean and seas whereas the moose are found living in the forests Northern Hemisphere. The predatory-prey relation works best in the coastal waters of Alaska and Canada where the moose swims near the shoreline in the search of food and becomes the prey of the Killer Whale.
How Do Killer Whales Hunt The Moose?
Killer whales live in a group of 5 to 30 members or even more and they mostly hunt together which gives them an advantage over other predatory animals. During the summer season, moose frequently visit the coastal regions of the seas and ocean. The Killer Whales keep them in sight for a long period and wait to trap them because a swimming moose is an easy target. As they approach the prey, the Whales move with agility to knock down the prey before any other predator such as sea lions and seal will take them down. After grabbing the prey, the Orcas insert the long pointed teeth in the spinal cord of the moose and paralyze them, and then they brutally pull them into the water to drown it.
Why Do Killer Whale Hunt Moose?
Killer Whales hunt moose for food because this marine mammal is an important part of their diet. During the winter season, where Orcas have little or no food to eat then they hunt enormous moose to boost their energy level. Moreover, for the group of Whales, the swimming moose are easy to chase and kill.
Is Killer Whale The Only Natural Predator Of The Moose?
Killer Whales are the top predatory animals which not only include aquatic creatures in their diet but they do include marine animals to feed on. It was believed that the giant creature is the only predator of the moose but that is not true, other than Orcas, the seal and sea lions feed on moose but there is tough competition exists between the Whales and the giant marine animals for food, especially the moose.
What Do Killer Whales Incudes In Their Diet Other Than Moose?
Moose, no doubt is the most preferable food item for Killer Whales, but they require a large amount of food to maintain their energy level. For this, they include the following stuff in their diet:
- Fish
- Penguins
- Seals
- Sea lions
- Sharks, especially The Great White sharks
- Squids
- Sea birds
Conclusion
Killer Whales are the apex hunter of the oceanic world, they are the only animal that does not have any predators. Killer Whales feed on a variety of marine mammals but the most preferable is the Moose. The Orcas are the natural predator of the Moose, they hunt when the moose visit the shoreline in the search of food, especially in the coastal waters of Alaska and Canada. Other than Killer Whales, giant mammals such as seals and sea lions prey on moose as well.
