Orcas Create Seaweed Tools for Social Grooming in Scientific First
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📰 The quick summary: Scientists have documented Southern resident killer whales in Washington’s Salish Sea creating tools from bull kelp stalks to massage each other, marking the first evidence of toolmaking by any marine mammal.
📈 One key stat: Only 73 endangered Southern resident killer whales remain in this population, highlighting the urgency of protecting both these complex social animals and the bull kelp forests they use for their unique grooming behavior.
💬 One key quote: “We were amazed when we first noticed this behavior,” said Michael Weiss, research director at the Center for Whale Research in the US state of Washington.
1️⃣ The big picture: Scientists have discovered that killer whales in the Salish Sea off Washington state are crafting tools from bull kelp to massage each other in a behavior called “allokelping.” This groundbreaking finding represents the first documented evidence of toolmaking by marine mammals, with whales of all ages participating in these coordinated grooming sessions. The behavior serves both hygiene purposes, helping whales exfoliate dead skin and potentially providing antibacterial benefits, as well as strengthening social bonds between the animals. This discovery came about when researchers upgraded their drone equipment in 2024, allowing them to capture high-quality footage of previously unnoticed behaviors.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: This discovery reveals a remarkable level of intelligence and intentionality in orcas that goes beyond what scientists previously understood. Unlike most tool use in animals that focuses on obtaining food, these whales have developed tools specifically for social interaction and physical care. The behavior demonstrates the rich cultural traditions within orca societies, showing how these animals pass knowledge through their social groups. This finding helps build public appreciation for the complexity of marine mammal societies and strengthens arguments for protecting both the endangered Southern resident killer whales and the kelp forests they depend on. The documentation of this unique behavior highlights how much remains to be discovered about even well-studied marine species.
3️⃣ What’s next: Researchers plan to gather more observations to better understand the full extent of this behavior across the population. Conservation efforts must now focus on protecting both the endangered whale population and the bull kelp forests threatened by warming oceans. Scientists hope this discovery will bolster support for habitat protection measures that preserve this unique cultural behavior for future generations.
Read the full story here: Mongabay – Orcas discovered making tools from seaweed to ‘massage’ each other
