AI Generated Image
“I started screaming because I know what shelling looks like” - dolphin photographed performing extremely rare behavior
digitalcameraworld.com • • science
Key Points:
- Researchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast documented a rare dolphin behavior called 'shelling' for the first time on Australia's east coast at Great Sandy Marine Park between July and October 2025.
- 'Shelling' involves dolphins using shells as tools to trap fish, a hunting technique previously published only once, and the footage showed both an adult female dolphin and its calf performing the behavior.
- The observation suggests maternal social transmission, indicating that dolphin calves may learn this tool use from their mothers rather than peers, challenging previous assumptions.
- This discovery highlights the importance of traditional photography in scientific research for documenting rare wildlife behaviors, emphasizing its role beyond aesthetic purposes.
