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How did bottlenose dolphins use sponges as tools in Shark Bay?

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Illustration showing various cetaceans, including baleen whales like the blue whale, fin whale, humpback whale, gray whale, sei whale, northern right whale, and bowhead whale, as well as toothed whales such as the sperm whale, narwhal, beluga, Baird's beaked whale, killer whale, dolphins, and porpoises. Each species is labeled with its scientific name and typical or maximum length, with a size scale in the corner for reference. — cetacean Whales (order Cetacea).

In Shark Bay, Australia, certain bottlenose dolphins engage in a specialized tool-use behavior known as "sponging." In this process, a dolphin places a marine sponge over its rostrum, or beak, before scouring the seafloor for food.12

The sponge serves as a protective tool, shielding the dolphin's sensitive nose from abrasion while it probes the sand for prey that would otherwise be difficult to access. This behavior, first documented in 1984, highlights the remarkable intelligence and adaptability of these cetaceans, as they utilize their environment to overcome foraging challenges.12