Sea Lion Rips Out Shark’s Throat in Vicious Act of Revenge (Video)
Sharks, especially great whites, are often considered apex predators of the ocean.
That means, they get to eat anything and everything. For great whites, the juveniles focus on fish, stingrays, squids, etc. As they get older, their palate graduates to seals, sea lions, other sharks, and scavenging the remains of dead whales or larger marine mammals.
But this next shark flipped the script; an act of revenge?
The clip, which comes from the account NatureIsMetal via marine photographer Loriannah, shows a blue shark getting its throat viciously ripped out by a sea lion in California’s Monterey Bay. It’s not a common behavior to be witnessed.
Perhaps revenge for all the sea lion's fallen brethren?
For more context, they caption:
“In this unique encounter, the California sea lion truly lives up to the 'lion' in its name.
“And much like the land based kings of the african savannah, this marine mammal puts on a visceral display of raw power as it quite literally goes for the throat of this blue shark.
“While fish and squid are the usual staples in this aquatic lion's diet, these marine mammals are known for their adaptability and opportunism. Several factors could explain this unusual predation event.
“When food sources become scarce, sea lions might diversify their diet, leading them to unconventional prey choices. Additionally, if both creatures are competing for the same meal, the sea lion could perceive the shark as a direct threat. In such scenarios, adopting a proactive stance—where the best defense is a good offense—might be the sea lion's strategy.
“It's also plausible that the targeted shark was young, sick, or injured, making it an easier catch for the sea lion. Furthermore, youthful curiosity can't be ruled out; young sea lions, like many juvenile creatures, often explore and interact with their environment in unexpected ways, seeking to learn and adapt.
“Whatever the reasoning may be, it doesn't change the fact that in the vast theater of the ocean, every player has its day. Today, the sea lion claimed the spotlight; tomorrow, the waves will bear witness to a different lead in their ever-evolving narrative.”
Nature is certainly metal; cue the guitar solo.
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