Orcas Use Kelp for Grooming in Fascinating Behavior Study

Rapid Summary:

• Orcas off the west coast of North America were observed grooming each other with kelp, a rare instance of marine animals using tools.
• researchers tracked 80 endangered killer whales in the region between British Columbia and Washington state and studied footage from drones filmed in summer 2024.
• in the footage, orcas were seen breaking off specific segments of kelp using their teeth, rubbing these on each other’s sides for up to 12 minutes as part of a grooming ritual.
• This behavior was consistent across all ages and sexes but was more common among closely related individuals or those closer in age.
• Orcas are known to rub themselves against kelp individually (“kelping”), suggesting this might potentially be a social variation reinforcing strong bonds within pods.
• The researchers hypothesize that this behavior could be linked to hygiene as it occurs more frequently when orcas shed their skin but require additional studies to confirm any health benefits.

Image Caption: Groups of killer whales exhibit strong social behavior (Shutterstock/Tory Kallman).

Indian Opinion Analysis:
The revelation highlights orcas’ intelligence and complex social behaviors, which could reveal new insights into marine mammal cognition and group dynamics.Although tool usage is rarely documented among aquatic species, this systematic kelp manipulation indicates adaptability despite physical constraints like lacking hand-like appendages-a compelling testament to evolutionary ingenuity.

For India, which shares coastline ecosystems supporting diverse marine wildlife including dolphins and whales, such instances underline the importance of preserving biologically rich habitats while advancing research capabilities like drone surveys.By embracing such observations globally, India may refine its strategies for underwater biodiversity protection as new knowledge emerges about animal dialog techniques relevant for ocean conservation initiatives.