Killer Whales Wear Hats Made of Dead Salmons - Again

Killer whales in North America are once again balancing dead fish on their heads. The bizarre trend is puzzling scientists, Live Science reports.

The strange phenomenon was first noticed in the 1980s. In the summer of 1987, according to the popular science website Live Science, whole schools of orcas swam around wearing hats made of dead salmon.

Then the trend died out – but now it’s suddenly back. Last month, whale watchers and scientists observed killer whales with dead fish on their heads off the coast of the US state of Washington. According to the researchers, these may be the same whales they saw almost 40 years ago.

‘It seems possible that some individuals that tried the behaviour the first time have now picked it up again,’ evolutionary ecologist Andrew Foote told New Scientist magazine.

The reason behind the hat trend is unclear, Live Science reports. The researchers’ best guess is that the phenomenon is linked to high food availability. When orcas are full, they may choose to save some salmon – by balancing them on their heads.