May 17, 2024 5:55 PM

Sea otters get more prey and reduce tooth damage using tools

Humans are not alone in the use of tools. Chimpanzees, for instance, crack nuts with stones and use sticks to get at tasty termites. Dolphins are known to employ sponges to protect their beaks while foraging. And a Galapagos Islands finch uses cactus spines to dig grubs out of holes. Sea otters also are members of the animal kingdom's tool-wielding club. And a new study offers a fuller understanding of the tool use - utilizing rocks and other objects to break open hard prey - by these marine ma...