Study shows Hawaiian whales consume up to 202 squid a day

Short-finned pilot whales eat far more squid than previously known (Image: HIMB Marine Mammal Research Program)

Short-finned pilot whales off Hawaii eat far more squid than expected. A new study has quantified their appetite with rare precision. Researchers used advanced suction-cup tags and drone measurements. They tracked whale dives to reveal feeding habits in deep waters.

Researchers Tag Whales to Capture Real-Time Hunting

The team attached animal-borne devices equipped with cameras and hydrophones. These tags recorded motion, clicks and feeding events. Drones estimated body size from above the surface. Combining these methods produced a clear picture of the whales’ energy demands.

Up to 202 Squid per Whale Every Day

The whales consumed between 82 and 202 squid daily. This calculation came from linking dive depth, duration and detected prey captures. Most dives went hundreds of metres deep. Some reached 864 metres in repeated foraging cycles.

Ecosystem Impact 

The Hawaiian population could number up to 8,000. If so, their annual squid consumption may exceed 88,000 tonnes. That scale highlights the whales’ major ecological role. It also underscores the importance of stable squid populations in offshore waters.

Findings Offer Reassurance

Scientists say the data indicate enough squid exists to sustain the whales locally. There is no immediate sign of food scarcity. The authors warn that climate impacts may alter deep-sea prey in the future. This study now provides a baseline to detect such changes.