Male dolphins have taken to wearing wigs
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (364734)
Rockingham, Australia
October 23, 2025 6:28pm CST
An interesting news story tells of male humpback dolphins off the coast of Western Australia using sea-sponges as wigs to attract mates. This behaviour has only been seen in a small number of areas off our northern coasts. Humpback dolphins are listed as vulnerable by the National Environmental Protection group.
Bottlenose dolphins also use sponges but as an aid for fossicking around coral when searching for food. The local pod at Monkey Mia carry sponges on their snout to stop their face getting cut up by the coral. The first examples of ‘sponging’ was noticed in the 1980s and provided evidence of marine mammals using tools.
I took the photo when we were house-sitting on the canals at Busselton.
13 people like this
11 responses
@xFiacre (14539)
• Ireland
4h
@JudyEv I was on a roller coaster (reluctantly) with my cousin at Niagara Falls and as soon as we started to move she screamed which I thought was a bit premature, but her wig had come loose in the wind and she grabbed it just in time. She was only about 40 but had severe alopecia hence the wig. Much embarrassment, but at least the wig didn’t escape.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (197799)
• United States
16h
"Do you like my wig ladies?" "Isn't it an appealing shade of green!"
3 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (115358)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
16h
This is the first time I have about male humpback dolphins wearing sea sponges before.
3 people like this
@LindaOHio (204195)
• United States
4h
Animals are so much more clever than we would ever suspect.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (364734)
• Rockingham, Australia
3h
They are indeed. We just need to be able to understand them a bit better.
@Nevena83 (65683)
• Serbia
2h
I love dolphins, but I've never seen them live. I believe they look fascinating.
