If you thought it was embarrassing enough to have to create a Tinder profile to find a girlfriend, wait until you hear what one of the most intelligent mammals on planet Earth does. In the crystal-clear waters of northwestern Australia, courtship does not involve flowers or chocolates, but rather somewhat random objects. Male dolphins have been spotted looking for an accessory to make themselves look handsome to the females in the area.
What at first seemed like an underwater joke appears to be a mating ritual more complex and sophisticated than anything we have seen so far in the animal kingdom. The star accessory of this ritual is none other than a sea sponge that balances perfectly on their heads.
Yes, you read that right, the Australian humpback dolphin, known scientifically as Sousa sahulensis, uses a sea sponge to make itself look beautiful. This beautiful coastal species is classified as vulnerable, and its population is estimated at less than 10,000 individuals. Research into this bizarre ritual was carried out by scientists at the University of Western Australia (UWA) and subsequently published in the prestigious journal Scientific Reports.
This symbolic use of objects reveals a level of cultural intelligence and social complexity rarely seen in non-human marine mammals. (Another thing is that we humans find it ridiculous to have to wear a sponge wig to get laid, but whatever rocks your boat).
The Wig Ritual
The courtship ritual begins with a male searching for a good-sized sea sponge. It must be firmly attached to the rocky or coral sea floor. Once he has chosen one, he bites it and pulls hard to detach it. He then returns to the surface with his trophy, where he meets the female dolphin he is interested in courting. The male dolphin then begins to juggle the sponge in his beak or on his head, which has earned him the nickname “wig” or “hat.” When he is finished, he presents or throws the sponge to the female.
Although this may leave us completely confused, biologists describe this act as a multimodal sexual display that combines visual, tactile, and acoustic signals. Apparently, pulling a Merida sponge from the coral is an incredibly difficult task that requires tremendous strength, physical endurance, and superior coordination. It’s the equivalent of watching a gym buff lift a 100 lbs suitcase; it seems silly, but the ladies love this display of masculinity and brute force.
The sponge allows the dolphin to demonstrate that he is strong, coordinated, and capable of performing difficult tasks. By giving the female a sponge, he is telling her that he is a great choice for having offspring with. Apart from the sponge, he proceeds to perform the banana pose, which involves arching his body dramatically to show off his size and musculature (we assume the human equivalent is photos in the gym after doing chest and bicep exercises).
When Courtship Becomes Ridiculous
If this mating dance seems a little strange to you, you should know that this complexity of rituals is not unique to this species. The animal kingdom is full of examples that range from the extravagant to the ridiculous (at least from our human perspective). Famous examples include the orcas of Puget Sound in the United States. In 1987, they got confused and decided to start putting dead salmon on their heads. It seemed to be a passing fad, but they were seen doing the same thing again in 2024. Just like Converse sneakers, fashion trends seem to reappear from generation to generation in the animal kingdom.
Another example of interesting mating rituals is the male Japanese pufferfish, which is a lover of symmetry. It is capable of building intricate sand mandalas up to 2 m in diameter on the seabed. The female pufferfish evaluates the perfection of the design and if she likes it, they copulate in the center. After all, who doesn’t like a man who knows how to make a bed perfectly?