Great Whites eating dolphins now

[DavidPT40]

I was watching a program on the Discovery Channel, and they said that Great Whites are returning to the Hawaiin Islands. Since there are not any seals there, they have been feeding on Spinner Dolphins.

This makes sense. I imagine Spinner Dolphins have a high fat content that Great Whites need. Are these Spinner Dolphins a new food source for the big sharks?

 

[drbill]

I just hope the great whites are eating "tuna safe" dolphins!

I would imagine that dolphins are not that unusual a food source, but probably "secondary" to pinnipeds when they are available. I'm pretty certain the pinnipeds have a greater percentage of fat than dolphins.

 

[RoyN]

I thought they eat dolphins....am I missing something?

 

[zen_man]

I saw this too. And I thought that for the most part, they stayed away from dophins unless they are injured or young. I had always heard the stories of how dophins could kill a shark and have even protected people from sharks.

I guess if it's open game, they'll go for it.

 

[lock_washer]

If you ever watch the PBS special: Red Triangle. The great whites are waiting in ambush for feeding seals midway between Hawaii and the west coast. They either ambush the seals at depth, or hit that the surface.

Lock Washer

 

[DivingsInMyBlood]

I saw this too. And I thought that for the most part, they stayed away from dophins unless they are injured or young. I had always heard the stories of how dophins could kill a shark and have even protected people from sharks.

I guess if it's open game, they'll go for it.

I have a real hard time trying to picture dolphins beating on a great white.

 

[lock_washer]

Actually they have the numbers on their side, but probably would depend on the size of the dolphin also. Remember: Killer whales, false killer whales are also dolphins but they will go after anything.

Lock Washer