Page 39 - World of Animals - Issue #30

Nature’s most cunning

Killer whales create powerful

waves to knock seals off the ice

Arguably the most successful hunters of killer whales swimming in formations to

in the ocean, killer whales use incredible create waves, knocking seals from floating
group dynamics to tactically catch animals ice in order to catch, kill and eat them.
ranging from seagulls to sharks. Not even This method demonstrates remarkable
the largest animals on Earth, blue whales, intellect; it involves spyhopping (vertically
are safe from these apex predators. rising out of the water) to locate a suitable
Different killer whale populations have ice floe and carefully assessing the type

developed their own hunting techniques, of wave required to wash an animal off it,
each specialising in a particular kind of before creating a deadly bow wave using a
prey. One of the cleverest involves groups tightly synchronised aquatic charge.

Crocodiles wait all year for

the perfect time to attack

One of the most patient and stealthy lurk in rivers, waiting for animals
assassins in the animal kingdom such as antelopes to cross on their
is the Nile crocodile. Amazingly, annual migrations. While the herds
these water-dwelling reptiles can approach the riverbanks for a much-
go for many months without eating, needed drink, the crocodile remains

slowing down their heart to just two perfectly still, imitating a log floating
or three beats per minute to slowly on the surface. When a vulnerable
consume the energy from their food. animal is within its reach, a sudden
When they do eat, it’s a lunge out of the water secures the
considerable feast. The crocodiles croc’s long-awaited meal.

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