A small group of wild dolphins in Australia uses a unique hunting technique by attaching a sponge to their nose. The sponge protects their beaks from sharp rocks as they stirs up sediment in the sandy bottom to retrieve hidden fish.
This behavior is only passed on to their offspring by their mothers, and it takes years to master. According to research, only about 5% of dolphins (about 30 dolphins) use this technique.
The research shows that the sponge disrupts echolocation, the dolphins’ primary method of orientation, but the animals can adapt and maintain their hunting efficiency.
Using wild sea sponges requires skill and experience, so only the most trained dolphins successfully use this technique.
