Uploaded April 2014 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Dolphins Create Sponge Armor. A select group of dolphins in Shark Bay, Western Australia have developed a unique hunting strategy. They use sponges as a protective covering to hunt fish on the sea floor. This protects them from the sharp rocks and corals.
Eric Patterson & Janet Mann (2011). The ecological conditions that favor tool use and innovation in wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.). PLoS ONE 6(7): e22243. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0022243
Article Link: goo.gl/fC6mxH
Divers Perform Human Sponging Footage © Eric Patterson
Pod of Dolphins Footage © Paul Choy
Photos:
1.Armored Horse: Heather Moreton
2.Basket Sponge: Eric Patterson
3.Dolphin Nose w/ Sponge: Eric Patterson
4.3/4 Dolphin w/ Sponge: Ewa Krzyszczyk
5.Dolphin Nose w/Sponge 2: Eric Patterson
6.Dolphin Swimming away w/ Sponge: Eric Patterson
Music:
Intro: Brett Donnelly - Action Sting goo.gl/v7gaV
Soundtrack: Bread Headz -- Finally goo.gl/i4dpnL
Dolphins Create Sponge Armor. A select group of dolphins in Shark Bay, Western Australia have developed a unique hunting strategy. They use sponges as a protective covering to hunt fish on the sea floor. This protects them from the sharp rocks and corals.
Eric Patterson & Janet Mann (2011). The ecological conditions that favor tool use and innovation in wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.). PLoS ONE 6(7): e22243. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0022243
Article Link: goo.gl/fC6mxH
Divers Perform Human Sponging Footage © Eric Patterson
Pod of Dolphins Footage © Paul Choy
Photos:
1.Armored Horse: Heather Moreton
2.Basket Sponge: Eric Patterson
3.Dolphin Nose w/ Sponge: Eric Patterson
4.3/4 Dolphin w/ Sponge: Ewa Krzyszczyk
5.Dolphin Nose w/Sponge 2: Eric Patterson
6.Dolphin Swimming away w/ Sponge: Eric Patterson
Music:
Intro: Brett Donnelly - Action Sting goo.gl/v7gaV
Soundtrack: Bread Headz -- Finally goo.gl/i4dpnL
