Dolphins use tools

[GordMay]

Dolphins Protect Their Snouts With Sponges ~ By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID

WASHINGTON (AP) - A group of dolphins living off the coast of Australia apparently teach their offspring to protect their snouts with sponges while foraging for food in the sea floor. Researchers say it appears to be a cultural behavior passed on from mother to daughter, a first for animals of this type, although such learning has been seen in other species.

The dolphins, living in Shark Bay, Western Australia, use conically shaped whole sponges that they tear off the bottom, said Michael Kruetzen, lead author of a report on the dolphins in Tuesday's issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.

Goto “CNN” for the full story:
http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/ns/news/...lphins_sponges

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences: http://www.pnas.org

[BC Mike]

If the dolphins in Ozz are showing signs of intelligence, then they are probably from NZ and on vacation. A Kiwi fisherman wrote a book many years ago, Thinking dolphins, talking whales. It is well worth the read if you can find it. I may not have the name correct but I am likely close.
Michael

[GordMay]

10 Cool Things about Dolphins:
Did you know dolphins hitchhike, have leftover legs, and help people fish? See some surprising facts about these clever sea creatures.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngkids/0506/