The dolphins are extremely intelligent animals. They thoroughly inspect the environment around them, so they know very well the best places to masturbate or the objects that they can use as tools. They also know exactly where to go to get high. In fact, they have been seen hanging out in a group sharing a puffer fish to which they gave just enough nibbles to get high, but without going overboard. Now, in addition, we know that they are also capable of self-medicating by rubbing against corals with interesting pharmacological properties.
This discovery began when the biologist and diver Angela Ziltener, from the University of Zurich, observed a group of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins rubbing themselves conscientiously in some coral reefs north of the Red Sea, off the coast of Egypt. She was struck by the fact that they seemed to know what corals they needed. Not everyone was worth it.
For this reason, she and her team, along with several other divers, decided to approach them to better observe their habits. It was a progressive process, since they had to gain their trust, so that the dolphins would act normally when they were in the vicinity. They finally got it and were able to see which corals they used to rub against. They then took samples and sent them to Gerturd Morlock, an analytical chemist at Justus Liebig University in Germany. She and her research group were in charge of analyzing those samples, which turned out to contain up to 17 compounds with antibacterial, antioxidant, hormonal and toxic properties. The conclusion that she says in the study that has just been published in iScience is that dolphins use these substances to fight skin infections that possibly cause itching and discomfort . Of course, when it comes to self-medicating they do much better than humans.
Dolphins that self-medicate
When he approached the dolphins, Ziltener observed that they rubbed themselves on the corals until they released a kind of mucus. It only occurred with two species of coral: the gorgonium coral (Rumphella aggregata) and the leather coral (Sarcophyton sp .). And also with a sponge (Ircinia Sp.).
They have probably figured out which species are suitable based on trial and errorr. By rubbing with each other, they detect which ones relieve the symptoms of skin infections. And they already take it as one more part of their group routines and even teach it from generation to generation.
Logically, extracting mucus from coral is not the same as taking medicine. However, within their possibilities, they have found the best option to treat their skin ailments.
A mother dolphin teaches her calf to rub against the medicinal coral. Credit: Angela Ziltener
What would happen if the coral reefs were lost?
The coral reefs are both recreational and rest areas for dolphins. There they meet to rest, but also to socialize with each other. The biologist and diver who promoted this study observed that they took advantage of breaks between naps or within their social routines to get closer to rub against the corals. For this reason, she is concerned about the process of deterioration that the reefs are suffering
Climate change is affecting many of them. In fact, it is estimated that a increase of 1.5ºC in temperature with respect to pre-industrial levels could affect between 70% and 90% of the area covered by them. The percentage could be dramatic with a increase of 2ºC.
Coral reefs are recreational and resting areas for dolphins
Pollution caused by human beings also affects them on many levels. For example, some compounds in sunscreen could be harmful to coral reefs. But that is not all. The existing fever to see the dolphins up close is leading to the organization of a multitude of excursions to the places frequented by them. And those places are often associated with coral reefs. If a responsible approach is not taken, like that of the Ziltener team, not only could the habitat be physically damaged, but the habits of the dolphins could also be disturbed. As a consequence, among other things, they could stop taking medication as has been observed in this study.
For this reason, this scientist has launched an initiative called Dolphin Watch Alliance, aimed at instructing tour guides, tourists and the general public, so that, if they approach dolphins, they do carefully.
Observing their interactions up close can be a dream come true, but no one who loves these animals would want to disrupt their lives in the process. It is important to make it clear, because as much as we think we are superior, it is we who are breaking into their habitat. Since we do, let's at least try not to destroy it.
