Killer whales have been observed engaging in a unique mutual grooming behavior using bull kelp, marking the first instance of tool use in marine animals. This behavior, documented in a pod of 73 orcas in the Salish Sea, involved whales biting off and manipulating sections of kelp between each other. Initial belief of it being a one-off incident turned to realization as researchers noted it was a common practice. The study highlights a remarkable new marine behavior and challenges perceptions of tool use among non-human species.
We realized we had stumbled across a newly described behavior, which is remarkable. You don't even think it is a possibility to find something new like this when you're observing whales.
The behavior is the first such documented mutual grooming in marine animals and outlines a new way of using tools, previously believed limited to primates.
Collection
[
|
...
]