Unusual Discovery: Beached Orca Found with 7 Intact Sea Otters Inside

A study published in Aquatic Mammals revealed that six intact sea otters were found in the stomach of a dead female killer whale, while a seventh otter was lodged in its throat. The orca, discovered off the coast of the Russian Commander Islands, was far from its normal hunting ground. While orcas typically do not eat otters, this incident suggests that the otter caught in the whale's throat may have caused its demise. Scientists believe the orca may have swallowed the otters whole, which is unusual as they usually tear chunks of meat off their prey.