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July 2025 Footage Shows Shell-Using Passed From Mothers

8/13/2026

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Summary

Story summary

July 2025 footage offers the first possible evidence of maternal social transmission of shell-using in Hervey Bay dolphins.
Dr. Alexis Levengood of the University of Sunshine Coast filmed dolphins handling shells off Hervey Bay in July 2025.
A July 6, 2025 video shows adult female “Stevie Nicks” manipulating a bailer shell (Melo amphora).
On October 1, 2025 mother Maserati surfaced with a shell that calf Bentley later copied.

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Story summary

July 2025 footage offers the first possible evidence of maternal social transmission of shell-using in Hervey Bay dolphins.
Dr. Alexis Levengood of the University of Sunshine Coast filmed dolphins handling shells off Hervey Bay in July 2025.
A July 6, 2025 video shows adult female “Stevie Nicks” manipulating a bailer shell (Melo amphora).
On October 1, 2025 mother Maserati surfaced with a shell that calf Bentley later copied.