Killer whales or Orca's (a name which seems to be gaining
in popularity, possibly because it sounds friendlier
than "killer" - then again, what doesn't) can be seen
exhibiting this spyhopping behaviour in pack ice. They are
doing it to see if there are any seals or penguins on the
ice that they can have for dinner. If there are, they may
hang around waiting for them to enter the water, or they
may try to tip them in by lifting the ice if its small enough,
or by producing a wash of water by "charging" at the ice
- see video below.
Picture courtesy of Mike Usher
- Mike went on a Ross Sea expedition on board the Kapitan Khlebnikov
in 2005. You can purchase a selection of Mike's pictures
here
Orcas trying to reach a crabeater seal on an ice
flow
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