Why Do Dolphins Carry Sponges?

Janet Mann; Brooke L. Sargeant; Jana J. Watson-Capps; Quincy A. Gibson; Michael R. Heithaus; Richard C. Connor; Eric Patterson

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0003868

Loading metrics

Open Access

Peer-reviewed

Research Article

Why Do Dolphins Carry Sponges?

Janet Mann ,

* E-mail: mannj2@georgetown.edu

Affiliations Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington D. C., United States of America, Department of Psychology, Georgetown University, Washington D. C., United States of America
⨯
Brooke L. Sargeant,

Affiliations Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington D. C., United States of America, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, United States of America
⨯
Jana J. Watson-Capps,

Affiliations Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington D. C., United States of America, Department of Biology, Metropolitan State College of Denver, Denver, Colorado, United States of America
⨯
Quincy A. Gibson,

Affiliation Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington D. C., United States of America
⨯
Michael R. Heithaus,

Affiliation Department of Biological Sciences, Marine Sciences Program, Florida International University, North Miami, Florida, United States of America
⨯
Richard C. Connor,

Affiliation Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, Dartmouth, Massachusetts, United States of America
⨯
Eric Patterson

Affiliation Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington D. C., United States of America
⨯

Why Do Dolphins Carry Sponges?

Janet Mann,
Brooke L. Sargeant,
Jana J. Watson-Capps,
Quincy A. Gibson,
Michael R. Heithaus,
Richard C. Connor,
Eric Patterson

Published: December 10, 2008
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0003868

Reader Comments

Post a new comment on this article

evolving?

Posted by flemingce on 06 Dec 2011 at 21:44 GMT

I found this study extremely fascinating because it shows how adaptable and intelligent the dolphin species truly is. I think it is amazing that they have adapted to their environment in such a creative way. I also find it interesting how the sex of the baby dolphins determined whether the dolphin became a sponger or not because it is similar to the cultural patterns of the human species.

No competing interests declared.

Subject Areas
?

For more information about PLOS Subject Areas, click here.
We want your feedback. Do these Subject Areas make sense for this article? Click the target next to the incorrect Subject Area and let us know. Thanks for your help!

Foraging
Is the Subject Area "Foraging" applicable to this article?

Thanks for your feedback.
Sponges
Is the Subject Area "Sponges" applicable to this article?

Thanks for your feedback.
Dolphins
Is the Subject Area "Dolphins" applicable to this article?

Thanks for your feedback.
Habitats
Is the Subject Area "Habitats" applicable to this article?

Thanks for your feedback.
Sharks
Is the Subject Area "Sharks" applicable to this article?

Thanks for your feedback.
Animal behavior
Is the Subject Area "Animal behavior" applicable to this article?

Thanks for your feedback.
Animal sociality
Is the Subject Area "Animal sociality" applicable to this article?

Thanks for your feedback.
Predation
Is the Subject Area "Predation" applicable to this article?

Thanks for your feedback.

Why Do Dolphins Carry Sponges?

Why Do Dolphins Carry Sponges?

Reader Comments

Post Your Discussion Comment

Why should this posting be reviewed?

Thank You!

evolving?

Posted by flemingce on 06 Dec 2011 at 21:44 GMT