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Killer whales—or orcas—are among the most recognizable animals on Earth. But beneath those black-and-white markings are remarkably complex societies, with different diets, dialects, traditions, and even cultures passed from one generation to the next.

This week on Naturally Scott, Scott Harris sits down with renowned killer whale researcher John Ford, who has spent more than four decades studying these extraordinary animals, primarily along the coast of British Columbia. His fascination began as a child watching killer whales pass his family's fishing boat and eventually led to work as a whale trainer before he devoted his career to understanding them in the wild. 

John takes us inside the very different worlds of resident, Bigg's, and offshore killer whales. Some specialize in salmon, others hunt marine mammals, and still others target sharks—and those food preferences and hunting techniques are learned traditions that can persist across generations. 

Along the way, Scott and John explore some of the strangest and most fascinating killer whale behaviors ever documented: attacking great white sharks for their livers, breaking the rudders of sailboats, wearing salmon on their heads, rubbing against pebble beaches, and intentionally stranding themselves along Patagonia to capture young sea lions.  

In this episode:

🐋 The remarkable cultures of killer whales

🐟 Why some populations eat salmon while others won't touch fish

🦈 Orcas hunting sharks—and why great whites flee

⛵ What's really happening with orcas and sailboats

🐟 The wonderfully bizarre phenomenon of “salmon hats”

👵 Why killer whale societies are led by older matriarchs

🗣️ Dialects, family groups, and knowledge passed through generations

🌊 John's unforgettable honeymoon watching orcas hunt sea lions in Patagonia

It's a fascinating look at intelligence, culture, family, specialization, and one of the ocean's most extraordinary predators.