Dolphins Use Sea Sponge Armor

You can bet dolphins have more tricks up their sleeves than just hydroplaning because they are so cunning. For instance, when necessary, they can protect themselves while hunting by wearing armor. Scientists first noticed dolphins breaking up marine sponge pieces in 1984 and then carrying them in their beaks to form a small glove for their faces.

As the dolphin prods around on the ocean floor in search of food, the sponge can shield its face. They'll drive out fish they can eat and won't get cut by coral or rocks. Researchers were curious as to why dolphins would even attempt this difficult move given how proficient they are at collecting fish in open water.

It turns out that the fish towards the bottom are frequently healthier. They lack swim bladders as well, which a dolphin can recognize using echolocation. So it's simpler to find them when hunting this manner. A further twist is that even among dolphins, this ability is somewhat uncommon. Mothers teach their daughters the skill but not their males, and the phenomenon has only been recorded in a limited group.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Infraorder: Cetacea
Family: Delphinidae
Subfamily: Delphininae
Genus: Tursiops