Orcas are bringing humans gifts
21 hours ago
- #Altruism
- #Orcas
- #Marine Biology
- Orcas have been observed gifting dead prey to humans, suggesting altruism and recognition of sentience in other species.
- Jared Towers documented cases of orcas attempting to share prey with humans, inspired by personal encounters in 2015 and 2018.
- A study identified 32 cases from 2004 to 2024 where orcas presented various prey species to humans, including seals, jellyfish, and birds.
- Orcas exhibit generalized altruism, recognizing sentience in others and engaging in cross-species curiosity and experimentation.
- This behavior aligns with their social structures, where cooperation and curiosity reduce uncertainty and strengthen relationships.
- Orcas demonstrate theory of mind, understanding that others have distinct mental states, a trait seen in some birds, apes, and dolphins.