Why do killer whales only eat the liver of great white sharks?

In terms of intelligence, the brain capacity and brain grooves of great white sharks are much simpler than those of killer whales. In terms of IQ, killer whales are strong enough to crush great white sharks. In nature, in addition to IQ, the fight between animals depends on body size. Great white sharks are about 6 meters long and weigh about 2 to 3 tons. This size is considered the pinnacle in the marine ecosystem, but it is still nothing when compared to killer whales. Killer whales are about 6 to 9 meters long and weigh about 3-6 tons, so killer whales are larger than great white sharks.

2. Killer whales have high IQs and may have developed unique eating habits

The liver of the great white shark is rich in nutrients and tastes tender and moist. Killer whales with high IQs may have a special liking for the liver of great white sharks. Compared to the African savannah, the waters where killer whales live have very few competitors, so they have many food choices and can be picky eaters, or have too much food so they form special desires.

However, upon further research, biologists found that the main reason killer whales only eat the liver of great white sharks is because nutritional properties that the liver of this species has. Similar to how people take supplements when lacking a certain vitamin to stay healthy, Killer whales will eat white shark liver because it is a “super food” filled with essential vitamins that killer whales need.

What killer whales aim for when eating shark liver is one compound called squalene. Squalene is an organic compound that all living things produce, but only sharks centrally produce it in their livers. Squalene is important in the synthesis of certain chemicals in the killer whale’s body.

Killer whales often attack and destroy sharks in an extremely brutal way. They attack in a herd style, destroying and dismembering sharks to eat the liver – the most nutritious thing in the shark’s stomach. Killer whales have been witnessed eating only the whale’s tongue, which is not normal. They tend to eat their tongue first because it is a muscle and has a lot of protein. Plus, killer whales love their tongues, just like we love a good steak.

Although shark liver is especially delicious to killer whales, it seems worth gradually expanding their palate. In South Africa, killer whales also began targeting the hearts and testicles of great white sharks. Both organs have their own nutritional properties (or maybe just good taste), causing killer whales to specifically target them.

Additionally, killer whales in other parts of the world will strategically target whale tongues. Just as humans prefer certain cuts of meat from cows, killer whales also seem to prefer certain parts of the whale’s body.