Latest news with #toolmaking
Telegraph
24-06-2025
- Science
- Telegraph
Watch: Orcas use seaweed tools to scratch each other's backs
Killer whales have been filmed fashioning seaweed sticks to scratch each other's backs in the first evidence of tool-making by marine mammals. Scientists spotted the behaviour in drone footage of orcas swimming in the Salish Sea, off the coast of Washington state in the US. The orcas were seen to bite off the end of a kelp stalk, position it between themselves and a partner and roll the kelp between their bodies for prolonged periods. Dr Michael Weiss, of the Centre for Whale Research (CWR), said: 'We were amazed when we first noticed this behaviour.' He added: 'The more observations we had, the more we realised they weren't just finding these pieces of kelp in the environment and grabbing them, they were actually fashioning these tools or these tools from complete kelp stalks.' Whales are known to play with seaweed and are often seen draping it over their backs or wearing it as hats in a process called 'kelping'. But this discovery is different because the kelp is deliberately selected, torn off and manipulated by two whales working together. Researchers have called the new behaviour 'allokelping', which means 'kelping with another'. The pieces of kelp the orcas use are around two feet long. The Salish Sea whales have been studied since the 1970s, and their habits were thought to be well known. But new drone technology has allowed researchers to observe behaviour that they believe may have been happening for decades without being seen. 'Happening all the time' Rachel John, a Master's student studying animal behaviour at the University of Exeter, said: 'We hadn't noticed 'allokelping' before because the videos being collected from our previous aircraft weren't of high enough quality, but the footage we're getting now shows this behaviour in great detail. 'I was watching one of those really close-up videos when I saw something that looked like a brown stick between two whales that were in contact with each other. We looked back at lots of videos and realised that rubbing kelp between their bodies wasn't just a one-off thing – it was happening all the time. 'And once we saw whales breaking off pieces of kelp intentionally, it became clear that this is not just play – this is something important in the social lives of the 'southern resident' killer whales.' Over a 12-day study period, the whales performed 'allokelping' on eight of the days and were more likely to carry out the practice on closely related whales or similarly aged partners, leading experts to suggest that it may be a form of grooming. Bull kelp stalk is firm and flexible, like a filled garden hose, with a slippery outer surface, which experts said made an ideal grooming tool. The team also saw some evidence that whales with more moulting or dead skin were more likely to take part in 'allokelping', suggesting that it may also serve as a hygienic function. Important for skin health Prof Darren Croft, of the University of Exeter and CWR's executive director, said: 'We know touch is really important. In primates – including humans – touch moderates stress and helps to build relationships. ' Killer whales often make contact with other members of their group, touching with their bodies and fins, but using kelp like this might enhance this experience. It might also be important for skin health. 'Whales and dolphins have a variety of strategies to help them slough dead skin, and this may be yet another adaptation for this purpose. 'Brown algae like bull kelp also have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that may provide further benefits to the whales.' Other killer whale pods have been spotted rubbing their bodies on smooth stone beaches, possibly to remove dead skin and parasites. However, the Salish Sea whales have not been seen doing this, suggesting that the kelp may offer an alternative solution. The researchers said it was unclear whether the grooming behaviour was entirely unique to this population or more widespread among other whale populations and species. The study was published in the journal Current Biology.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Orcas make seaweed tools to scratch each other's backs, study suggests
Orcas make seaweed tools in order to scratch each other's backs, a study has suggested. The animals, also known as killer whales, were observed detaching lengths of seaweed and massaging each other with it. The orcas bite off the end of a kelp stalk, position it between themselves and a partner, and roll the kelp between their bodies for prolonged periods, researchers said. The study was led by the Centre for Whale Research (CWR), in collaboration with the University of Exeter. The paper, published in the journal Current Biology, is entitled: 'Wild killer whales manufacture and use allogrooming tools.' Scientists spotted the behaviour in drone footage of southern resident orcas in the Salish Sea, in the inland waters of the US state of Washington. Whales of all ages were seen partaking in the tool-making, possibly to strengthen social bonds and promote skin health, researchers suggested. CWR research director Dr Michael Weiss said researchers were 'amazed' when they first noticed the behaviour. Several whale species are known to engage in 'kelping' – moving kelp with their heads, fins and bodies – likely for play, or possibly to remove parasites and maintain healthy skin. The new discovery, dubbed 'allokelping', is different because the kelp is selected, trimmed and manipulated by two whales working together. Dr Weiss added: 'Bull kelp stalk is firm but flexible, like a filled garden hose, with a slippery outer surface. I suspect these features make it an ideal grooming tool. 'What I find remarkable about this behaviour is just how widespread it is in the population. 'Males and females of all life stages and from all three southern resident pods were seen using kelp in this way. All evidence points to it being an important part of their social lives.' The team observed allokelping on eight out of 12 days included in the study and based on their observations, suspect that this behaviour may be universal in this population. Whales were most likely to pair up to allokelp with close maternal relatives, and those of similar age. Rachel John, a masters student studying animal behaviour at the University of Exeter, said: 'This population of whales has been formally studied for 50 years – the best-studied orcas on the planet – and yet major new discoveries can still be made. 'We hadn't noticed 'allokelping' before because the videos being collected from our previous aircraft weren't of high enough quality, but the footage we're getting now shows this behaviour in great detail.' Commenting on the possible reasons for allokelping, Professor Darren Croft, of the University of Exeter and CWR's executive director, said: 'We know touch is really important. 'In primates – including humans – touch moderates stress and helps to build relationships. 'We know killer whales often make contact with other members of their group – touching with their bodies and fins – but using kelp like this might enhance this experience. 'It might also be important for skin health. Whales and dolphins have a variety of strategies to help them slough dead skin, and this may be yet another adaptation for this purpose. 'Brown algaes like bull kelp also have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that may provide further benefits to the whales.' Professor Croft said researchers were working to confirm the initial findings and 'investigate the social and skin health benefits of this behaviour'. Other orcas are known to rub their bodies on smooth stone beaches, possibly to remove dead skin and parasites, but the southern resident whales have not been seen doing this. Funders of the study included the UK Natural Environment Research Council and the Orca Fund, a grant making fund created by Wild Fish Conservancy and administered by the Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment.
Asharq Al-Awsat
27-05-2025
- Science
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Scientists Date the Oldest Known Tools Made from Whale Bones to 20,000 Years Ago
Scientists have pinpointed the oldest known evidence of humans making tools from whale bone. The bones, fashioned into narrow projectiles for hunting, had been uncovered in excavations dating back over a century in the Bay of Biscay near Spain and France. Scientists figured the tools were quite ancient, but many were small fragments so it was hard to determine their age. Technological advancements in the past decade have now made it possible to date the oldest of the tools to about 20,000 years ago. Scientists found that the bones came from blue whales, fin whales, sperm whales and other species, The AP news reported. 'Humans and whales have clearly been encountering one another for a long time,' said Vicki Szabo with Western Carolina University, who studies the history of whaling and was not involved with the latest research. Scientists think that ancient humans were crafting whale bone instruments in places including the Arctic and South Pacific. There's been solid evidence of whale bone tools dating back to about 5,000 years ago, but the new research published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications pushes the timeline back. Ancient humans weren't necessarily hunting whales, said study author Jean-Marc Petillon with the French National Centre for Scientific Research. More likely, they were scavenging the bodies of beached whales and fashioning their dense, heavy bones into tools to hunt reindeer or bison. The tools indicate that ancient people in the area took advantage of resources near the sea for survival. They likely also collected seashells and fished. Finding such evidence has been difficult as rising sea levels disrupt coastlines across the globe, scientists said. 'It's one more contribution to the importance of coastal environments for human groups, even in this long past," said Petillon.
Washington Post
27-05-2025
- General
- Washington Post
Scientists date the oldest known tools made from whale bones to 20,000 years ago
NEW YORK — Scientists have pinpointed the oldest known evidence of humans making tools from whale bone. The bones, fashioned into narrow projectiles for hunting, had been uncovered in excavations dating back over a century in the Bay of Biscay near Spain and France. Scientists figured the tools were quite ancient , but many were small fragments so it was hard to determine their age.
