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Dolphins use tools in the form of sea sponges

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Sponge bath?

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When researchers first saw something strange on the snout of a dolphin in Shark Bay, Western Australia, they thought it was a massive tumor. Now they say it provides the first evidence of a tool-use culture in marine mammals.

The object turned out to be a marine sponge broken off from the seabed. Later other bottlenose dolphins in Shark Bay were observed holding sponges over their beaks, and appeared to use them as a fishing tool.

Researchers now report this odd hunting technique originated in a single female and is passed from mother to daughter.

Basing their findings on genetic analysis, the team suggests that this so-called sponging behavior represents the first known example of tool-related culture in cetaceans. Cetaceans are a group of mostly marine animals, including whales and dolphins.

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"The sponges probably act as a protective glove so the dolphins don't get stung by stonefish," Krützen added. (The stonefish is a bottom dweller with highly venomous spines.) The sponge also appears to disturb fish hiding on the seabed. The dolphins then snap the fish up.

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OrgoneConclusion said:

Unless someone can accurately translate this greeting from one of our genetic cousins, I contend that communication with an ET species is nigh impossible.

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How would you know if a given translation attempt was right or wrong....?   


>^;;^<

OrgoneConclusion said:

Unless someone can accurately translate this greeting from one of our genetic cousins, I contend that communication with an ET species is nigh impossible.

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We may not be able to communicate with a dolphin in the same way in which we communicate with each other, but that does not mean that we do not communicate at all. Even though we may not be intelligent, or developed enough (yet) to have a clear conversation with a dolphin, that does not mean that an alien species would not be intelligent, or developed enough to do so with us.

If another sentient life form intelligent enough to travel through space(assuming that space travel isn't in some way an innate part of their existence in the same way that a dolphin swims, and we walk) were to evolve in another part of the universe, their forms of communication may be so distant, and "alien" to us that we cannot yet conceptualize them. Perhaps the will greet us in an advanced language of beard strokes


Oh and I am Dr. Mokinus from the planet yomomm-ma7 and what the dolphin is trying to tell you is "quit fucking up my water ya fin-less cunt......dry land is a myth!"

Oweyervishice said:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/06/0607_050607_dolphin_tools.html

Quote:

When researchers first saw something strange on the snout of a dolphin in Shark Bay, Western Australia, they thought it was a massive tumor. Now they say it provides the first evidence of a tool-use culture in marine mammals.

The object turned out to be a marine sponge broken off from the seabed. Later other bottlenose dolphins in Shark Bay were observed holding sponges over their beaks, and appeared to use them as a fishing tool.

Researchers now report this odd hunting technique originated in a single female and is passed from mother to daughter.

Basing their findings on genetic analysis, the team suggests that this so-called sponging behavior represents the first known example of tool-related culture in cetaceans. Cetaceans are a group of mostly marine animals, including whales and dolphins.

...

"The sponges probably act as a protective glove so the dolphins don't get stung by stonefish," Krützen added. (The stonefish is a bottom dweller with highly venomous spines.) The sponge also appears to disturb fish hiding on the seabed. The dolphins then snap the fish up.

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soon enough you'll be in the dolphin hive mind.

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the insane asylum is only for those who can't handle it. 

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