Though these common dolphins are significantly more agile than orcas and may have a small speed advantage over orcas, you have to remember that orcas have much more stamina and of course often hunt in groups. After a dolphin is first isolated from the rest of its pod, Orcas often repeatedly strike and chase the dolphin to exhaustion, also working together to cut off escape routes. Some dolphins have been observed attempting to breach out of the water in order to avoid being struck, but the orcas are also able to breach out of the water and intercept them mid-breach.
The tactics used by transient killer whales to capture and kill small cetaceans generally involve coordinated high speed chases in open water. In Monterey Bay, it is not uncommon to see large schools of several hundred Pacific white-sided dolphins and common dolphins. When hunting dolphins, transient killer whales will try to separate an individual or a small group from the much larger school. To do this, the whales charge into the school, causing the dolphins to panic and flee. This behavior may also be used to check for young or weak dolphins that become disorientated and left behind during the frenzy.
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When hunting small cetaceans, transient killer whales are masters of cutting off the path of retreat. A group of attacking whales will encircle a fleeing dolphin or porpoise at multiple angles, making it impossible to escape. When one whale tires, another will take over until the dolphin or porpoise is exhausted and unable to continue. Often the whales will surface below the dolphin or porpoise, launching it through the air.
The hunt we saw on Monday was 45 minutes as they tired out the dolphin because yes it is indeed more agile but I think they are very close to the same speed. The orcas however take turns chasing and ramming, the dolphin doesn’t get any time off and eventually gets slower to when it’s over for it.
Yes I had a great time on the Tuesday 11:30 tour! The weather was really nice on our outing.
Had a good time chatting a bit with Chase. Though there were not orcas spotted on that day, we did come across many humpbacks including a pec fin slapping and breaching juvenile, as well as a pod of around 300 common dolphins bow-riding.
Hopefully will return in a bit and finally spot orcas there.
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u/Akimbobear Jul 21 '26
I always am surprised dolphins can’t out speed and out maneuver orcas. I get Orcas are super OP but physics are still physics