Dolphins Filmed Using Sea Shells as Tools in Rare Sighting off Australia
Marine biologists have documented Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) using large sea shells to hunt for fish off the coast of Queensland, Australia -- only the second place in the world where this behavior, known as shelling, has ever been recorded. The post Dolphins Filmed Using Sea Shells as Tools in Rare Sighting off Australia appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News .
In a surprising discovery, researchers from Australia have observed dolphins using empty shells as tools to catch fish, a rare behavior known as "shelling." The two instances were documented in 2025, representing the first recorded observations of this skill outside of Shark Bay, Western Australia. The researchers, led by Alexis Levengood from the University of the Sunshine Coast, describe the behavior as a testament to the specialized intelligence of bottlenose dolphins for foraging.
One observation involved a mother dolphin and her calf, suggesting that the skill might be passed down from mother to offspring. Despite its rarity, shelling could potentially be more widespread among dolphins, as it may help reduce competition for food. This newly discovered behavior illustrates the incredible adaptability and intelligence of these marine mammals.
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