A new study has revealed that southern resident killer whales also known as orcas are using bull kelp stalks as grooming tools. Find out more in the article below.
Drone-Detected “Allokelping” Behavior
Over a 12-day drone monitoring session in the Salish Sea, scientists captured about 30 examples of orcas selecting kelp, biting off sections, and pressing them between their bodies or mouths (a process dubbed “allokelping”). These grooming wanderings lasted from one to 15 minutes each and involved individuals across all ages and pods. Researchers noted that these interactions occurred most often among close relatives and age-mates, pointing to a deliberate social purpose.
Social Bonding & Skin Health
So why do orcas groom with kelp? Scientists propose two main hypotheses:
- Social Connections: The behavior likely strengthens bonds within pods, much like social grooming in primates
- Skin Care: Orcas with more dead or flaky skin were more likely to perform allokelping, suggesting the kelp may exfoliate, soothe itchiness, or even reduce parasites
- Kelp’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties may further support this care routine
A Tool-Use Breakthrough
Although numerous marine mammals play with kelp—such as draping it over fins—the careful selection, use, and cooperative application of kelp as a grooming instrument makes this a notable discovery. Previous examples of tool use largely came from land-based mammals, like primates and sea otters
Why It Matters for Conservation
Southern resident orcas are endangered, with fewer than 80 individuals remaining. Their survival is threatened by declines in Chinook salmon stocks, habitat loss, increased ocean temperatures, and declining bull kelp forests. Understanding culturally transmitted behaviors like allokelping highlights the importance of preserving both the species and its marine environment—and the traditions that define it.
Orcas: Culture, Care, Community
Orcas are renowned for their complex social structures—matrilineal family groups (pods) guided by elder females. They communicate using unique dialects, share food, and cooperate in hunting. Allokelping adds another layer of cultural behavior: one that’s intimate, deliberate, and communal.
Conservation Implications
Observing tool use in orcas underscores their intelligence and social sophistication. It argues for stronger protection of their habitats—from Chinook salmon to bull kelp forests. Losing this unique population would also erase a distinctive behavioral tradition that has evolved over generations.
Final Thoughts
With allokelping, orcas have shown a level of social grooming previously seen only in land mammals. They actively select, adapt, and share tools—bull kelp stalks—to care for themselves and each other. This newly documented behavior is a testament to their remarkable intelligence, culture, and adaptability—underscoring the urgent need to protect these majestic marine beings and the ecosystems they rely on.
Conclusion
The discovery of allokelping among southern resident orcas is more than just a quirky behavioral observation—it’s a powerful reminder of the complexity and intelligence of marine life. By using kelp deliberately for grooming and bonding, these orcas demonstrate cultural traditions that rival those of primates and other highly social animals. This behavior enriches our understanding of orca society and emphasizes the urgency of protecting their dwindling population and fragile habitat. As we learn more about these intelligent beings, it becomes increasingly clear that preserving their environment is not only a matter of biodiversity, but also of safeguarding a unique and evolving culture beneath the waves.
