Dolphins Use Sponges Too, But Not For Cleaning

Image Credit: Wikimedia

Shark Bay, located in western Australia, is home to a group of bottlenose dolphins who show off just how smart they are.

The beaks of these brainy dolphins happen to be a very sensitive area. When they forage food, their beaks rub against all kinds of underwater objects, like conical marine sponges. They then maneuver themselves and their beaks until the sponges find them way onto their “noses” to be used as tools for the marine mammals.

Researchers followed the dolphins by boat and observed them as they foraged for food played with other dolphins, traveled around the bay, and rested. The team took DNA samples from two different groups of dolphins: those that live in deep waters and those that live in shallow waters. The research team concluded that the dolphins inherited the behavior from their mothers.

“Our research shows that social learning should be considered as a possible factor that shapes the genetic structure of a wild animal population,” says lead author Dr. Kopps. “It is one of the first studies to show this effect — which is called cultural hitchhiking — in animals other than people.”

It’s always fascinating and insightful when these types of studies are conducted. We learn so much about these wonderful creatures that most would deem impossible. Dolphins are beautiful and smart creatures, possibly as smart as we are, but that’s for time and research to tell.

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140318212250.htm and AnimalWire