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cm0002@lemmy.cafe to Science@mander.xyzEnglish · 2 days ago

Why do killer whales keep handing us fish? Scientists unpack the mystery

www.sciencedaily.com

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Why do killer whales keep handing us fish? Scientists unpack the mystery

www.sciencedaily.com

cm0002@lemmy.cafe to Science@mander.xyzEnglish · 2 days ago
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Wild orcas across four continents have repeatedly floated fish and other prey to astonished swimmers and boaters, hinting that the ocean’s top predator likes to make friends. Researchers cataloged 34 such gifts over 20 years, noting the whales often lingered expectantly—and sometimes tried again—after humans declined their offerings, suggesting a curious, relationship-building motive.
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  • Mobiuthuselah@mander.xyz
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    1 day ago

    Has anyone tried playing fetch?

  • acockworkorange@mander.xyz
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    2 days ago

    “Offering items to humans could simultaneously include opportunities for killer whales to practice learned cultural behavior, explore or play and in so doing learn about, manipulate or develop relationships with us,” the researchers wrote. “Giving the advanced cognitive abilities and social, cooperative nature of this species, we assume that any or all these explanations for, and outcomes of such behavior are possible.”

    • Broadfern@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      So…they’re researching us?

      • murmurations@lemmy.sdf.org
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        2 days ago

        After humans have been genociding them and jamming their frequencies, their instinct in research is to gift humans food

    • catty@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      The wolves of the seas. Ten thousand years from now, everyone will have a pet killer whale.

      • Hideakikarate@sh.itjust.works
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        2 days ago

        That’s ridiculous. We won’t have oceans that far in the future.

  • SlartyBartFast@sh.itjust.works
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    1 day ago

    They’re paying tribute

  • AbouBenAdhem@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    The only time orcas see humans is when we’re flailing practically helplessly in the water—they’re probably trying to save us from extinction.

  • lurch (he/him)@sh.itjust.works
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    1 day ago

    probably bait to lure more humans into the water 😆

  • catty@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    I think it could actually be more like the “horse’s head in the bed” warning from the God Father.

  • DarkCloud@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    Game recognizes game.

  • 🇰 🌀 🇱 🇦 🇳 🇦 🇰 🇮 @pawb.social
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    2 days ago

    Whales and dolphins have speech, too.

    • 🇦🇺𝕄𝕦𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕕𝕔𝕣𝕠𝕔𝕠𝕕𝕚𝕝𝕖@hilariouschaos.com
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      2 days ago

      We absolutely should be working harder on building a translation imo

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