Researchers have recorded rare footage of dolphins using gastropod shells as tools to hunt fish off the coast of Australia. The documented behavior shows dolphins chasing prey into shells and then lifting them out of the water to drain the fish into their mouths. This strategy was observed in both an adult female and a mother-calf pair in Hervey Bay.
This marks a significant discovery because it provides the first video proof of this skill appearing on the eastern coast of Australia. Previously, this specific tool use was primarily associated with populations in Western Australia’s Shark Bay. The latest evidence suggests that dolphins in Queensland developed this foraging method independently from their western counterparts.
Scientists highlight that this behavior is likely more common than previous reports suggest. The nature of the foraging strategy is brief and often happens in a flash, making it difficult for observers to document. The footage captured in July and October of last year confirms that this knowledge is passed down directly from mothers to their calves.
This study adds to our understanding of the intelligence and social learning capabilities of marine mammals. By observing how these animals transmit complex survival skills through generations, researchers continue to uncover the depth of behavioral evolution in wild dolphin populations.