澳大利亚研究团队在昆士兰州大桑迪海洋公园记录到印度太平洋宽吻海豚使用贝壳狩猎鱼类的行为，并首次观察到母海豚将这一技能传授给幼崽的过程[1]。研究人员发现，幼海豚在母亲示范后数分钟内就能拾起贝壳并模仿狩猎[1]，这为海豚通过社会学习掌握工具使用方法提供了直接证据。
贝壳狩猎行为此前仅在西澳大利亚的鲨鱼湾有报告记录[1]，但大桑迪海洋公园的历史观察数据显示，这一行为早在2013年和2019年就已存在[1]。两处地点相隔澳大利亚超过6000公里[1]。研究人员在2025年7月至10月期间进行了观察，相关成果已发表在《海洋哺乳动物科学》期刊[1]。
Australian researchers have documented Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins using shells to hunt fish in a behavior passed down from mothers to calves, providing the first evidence of socially transmitted tool use learning in dolphins.[1] The study, published in the journal Marine Mammal Science, recorded observations from July to October 2025 at Great Sandy Marine Park in Queensland.[1]
The research team observed mother dolphins demonstrating shell-hunting techniques to their young, with calves picking up shells and mimicking the hunting behavior within minutes of watching their mothers.[1] While shell hunting has previously been reported among dolphins in Shark Bay, Western Australia, the discovery in Great Sandy Marine Park—located over 6,000 kilometers away—represents a significant finding.[1] Historical records indicate the behavior was already present at Great Sandy Marine Park in 2013 and 2019, suggesting the practice may have been established there for some time.[1]
