Spongers of the Sea

What unusual behavior was observed in dolphins at Shark Bay, Australia?

• They were communicating with each other using a new language.

• They were using a tool to hunt for food.

• They were swimming upside down.

• They were jumping out of the water more frequently than usual.

Why do dolphins in Shark Bay use sponges while hunting for food?

• To protect fish from themselves.

• To store the fish in their rostrums they catch.

• To protect their rostrums from injury.

• To make it easier to swim through the water.

What is the hunting technique that dolphins use in Shark Bay called?

• Echo hunting.

• Sponging.

• Tail whipping.

• Sponger Protection.

What type of fish do dolphins typically hunt for in Shark Bay?

• Surface-dwelling fish.

• Bottom-dwelling fish that do not have cut body parts.

• Fish that swim in schools.

• Bottom-dwelling fish that do not have cut body parts and hide under the sand.

How do dolphins in Shark Bay find the fish they hunt?

• By using their sense of smell.

• By creating an echo that dolphins can hear.

• By seeing the fish swim.

• By feeling the movement of water.

What happens once a fish is scared out of hiding according to the text?

• It swims to the surface of the water.

• It remains motionless to avoid predators.

• It darts around in the open water before reburying itself in the ocean sand.

• It immediately gets caught by the dolphin.

What have scientists noticed about mother dolphins and their calves?

• Mother dolphins are teaching their calves how to hunt for fish without tools.

• Mother dolphins are teaching their calves how to use sponges.

• Mother dolphins are teaching their calves to avoid humans.

• Mother dolphins are teaching their calves to communicate with other sea creatures.

What is the social behavior of sponging dolphins as observed by scientists?

• Sponging dolphins tend to be solitary and avoid other dolphins.

• Sponging dolphins tend to socialize with non-sponging dolphins.

• Sponging dolphins tend to socialize with other sponging dolphins.

• Sponging dolphins do not show any particular social behavior.

Why will scientists continue to study dolphins?

• To understand why dolphins are afraid of sponges.

• To learn more about how dolphins think and behave.

• To teach dolphins how to interact with humans.

• To prevent dolphins from using sponges.

Explain how dolphins use sponges for hunting?

(Use R.A.C.E to answer this SCR: Restate, Answer, Cite, Explain)