April 5, 2024
Images show a 60-year-old grandmother killer whale named Sophia battling with the shark in what scientists believe is the first time a single orca was captured on camera killing a great white shark.
Watch!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DkEePjRP04
In a jaw-dropping encounter off the coast of South Africa, a massive killer whale named Sophia, featured in a rare video captured by National Geographic, delivered a fatal blow to an unsuspecting great white shark.
The gripping footage, part of National Geographic's limited series "Queens," showcases Sophia's prowess as she aggressively hunts down and eventually overpowers the formidable shark.
The intense scene unfolds as Sophia charges and slams into the shark with incredible force, breaking its ribs and leaving it vulnerable in the water.
The clash between these two apex predators creates a massive splash, signaling the ferocity of the encounter. Despite the shark's attempts to escape, Sophia persistently circles back, delivering relentless blows until the shark succumbs to its injuries.
Experts, including marine biologist Dr. Chris Lowe, note that such a direct attack by a single orca on a great white shark is exceedingly rare, highlighting the exceptional nature of this footage.
National Geographic's docuseries "Queens" provides a closer look at this epic battle, showcasing Sophia, a 60-year-old orca grandmother and leader of her pod, demonstrating unmatched strength and strategic hunting skills.
The upcoming "Coastal Queens" episode promises an exhilarating exploration of the natural world's power dynamics, capturing moments like Sophia's remarkable takedown of the great white shark.
Stay tuned for more thrilling moments and surprising revelations as "Queens" continues to unveil the captivating lives and behaviors of these extraordinary marine queens.
This female killer whale named Sophia is a 60-year-old grandmother whale and leader of a pod of six.
Male killer whales typically have an average lifespan of around 30 years, although they can live up to at least 60 years in the wild. On the other hand, females generally live about 50 years, but they can survive up to at least 90 years in their natural habitat.
Female killer whales reach sexual maturity between the ages of 10 and 13. Their gestation period lasts from 15 to 18 months, after which they give birth to a single calf. Calves exclusively nurse for at least a year, staying closely associated with their mother during the initial two years of their life. Unlike some species, killer whales do not have a specific calving season, so births can occur throughout the year. The birth rate among killer whales is not fully understood, but in certain populations, it's estimated that females give birth every 5 years, on average, over a period of about 25 years.
Interestingly, killer whales, beluga whales, narwhals, short-finned pilot whales, and humans are the only known species to experience menopause, a unique aspect of their reproductive biology.