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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Dolphins' Hunting Tools Mostly Used by Females

Dolphin moms pass skills on to daughters; males do their own thing

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(Newser) – Beside humans, few other animals use tools to get their everyday chores done. Even fewer of them are marine mammals, so researchers in Australia were surprised to catch bottlenose dolphins employing conical sponges to dig in the seafloor. Mostly female dolphins use the snout-protectors, and only if their mothers showed them how, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Marine biologists think the behavior can be traced back to a single, recent innovator who realized that her nose fit nicely in the empty cone of a sea sponge. Since dolphin babies spend 8 years nursing with their mother, use of the sponge appears to be more due to nurture than nature. Still, it’s unclear why most males eschew the tools.

Sea otters are one of the few marine mammals to use tools. They smash abalone shells with rocks in order to get at the meat inside.
Sea otters are one of the few marine mammals to use tools. They smash abalone shells with rocks in order to get at the meat inside.   (©mikebaird)
The dolphins in Australia's Shark Bay draw tourists, and apparently can use tools.
The dolphins in Australia's Shark Bay draw tourists, and apparently can use tools.   (©Eulinky)
The clear waters of Shark Bay allowed researchers to get good views of the dolphins they wanted to study.
The clear waters of Shark Bay allowed researchers to get good views of the dolphins they wanted to study.   (©Eulinky)
Shark Bay's dolphins get some food from people, but spend most of their time hunting for themselves, either alone or in packs.
Shark Bay's dolphins get some food from people, but spend most of their time hunting for themselves, either alone or in packs.   (©robertpaulyoung)
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The number one question that drives me and others is, Why do dolphins have such big brains? What are they doing down there in the water that requires them to be so smart? - Janet Mann, a marine biologist and psychologist at Georgetown University

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Shannonals
Dec 27, 08 3:23 PM CST
Can't believe that the Wall Street Journal had nothing better to report on. Reply
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