Post by Tamrin on Dec 11, 2008 6:38:42 GMT 10
A 20-YEAR STUDY that began in 1984 shows that Shark Bay, Western Australia, is home to a population of bottlenose dolphins that use tools to forage for food and have acquired this skill through social learning. It is extremely rare for animals to use tools, and it is particularly surprising among marine life.
The study followed 13 adult bottlenose dolphins that regularly wear sponges on their noses and 172 that do not. The dolphins tear the conical sponges from the seafloor, and use them to protect their noses while probing the substrate for food.
The study followed 13 adult bottlenose dolphins that regularly wear sponges on their noses and 172 that do not. The dolphins tear the conical sponges from the seafloor, and use them to protect their noses while probing the substrate for food.
