The incredible moment male dolphins attempt to woo females with sea sponge 'gifts' in a romantic courtship ritual
- Scientists saw the behaviour in dolphins across north-western Australia
- Adult male humpback dolphins presented large marine sponges to females
- The reason for this remains unclear, but the researchers suggest it could be a display of the male's strength and quality as a partner
Many a man has tried to woo a woman with gifts, and it seems that this practice even occurs in dolphins.
Scientists have observed male humpback dolphins presenting females with large marine sponges in an effort to mate.
They have also spotted them using a 'wingman' to help get the attention of a female.
The findings suggest an as yet unrecognised level of social complexity in humpback dolphins, according to the researchers.
Scientists have observed male humpback dolphins presenting females with large marine sponges in an effort to mate
Scientists from the University of Western Australia witnessed the behaviour for the first time while watching coastal dolphins across north-western Australia.
They observed adult male Australian humpback dolphins presenting large marine sponges to females, alongside visual and acoustic display.
Their first observation was between a male and female dolphin and her calf.
The male dolphin dived down to remove a large marine sponge fixed to the seafloor, balanced it on his beak and pushed it toward the female.
The use of objects in sexual displays in non-humans in rare, and the researchers believe it could be a display of the male's strength and quality as a partner.
The researchers observed adult male Australian humpback dolphins presenting large marine sponges to females, alongside visual and acoustic display
Dr Simon Allen, lead author of the study, said: 'We were at first perplexed to witness these intriguing behavioural displays by male humpback dolphins, but as we undertook successive field trips over the years, the evidence mounted.
'Here we have some of the most socially complex animals on the planet using sponges, not as a foraging tool, but as a gift, a display of his quality, or perhaps even as a threat in the behavioural contexts of socialising and mating.'
On occasion, the researchers also saw some large adult male dolphins working in pairs.
The use of objects in sexual displays in non-humans in rare, and the researchers believe it could be a display of the male's strength and quality as a partner
Scientists from the University of Western Australia witnessed the behaviour for the first time while watching coastal dolphins across north-western Australia
Dr Stephanie King, co-author of the study, said: 'The formation of alliances between adult males for the purposes of coercing females is uncommon, since mating success cannot be shared.
'This is a new finding for this species, and presents an exciting avenue for future research.'
The researchers now plan to study the dolphins further to determine whether presenting sponges and engaging in sexual displays improves an individual's chance of mating success.
The researchers now plan to study the dolphins further to determine whether presenting sponges and engaging in sexual displays improves an individual's chance of mating success
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