Scientists have recently observed humpback male dolphins in the region presenting females with large marine sponges in the hope of impressing them. They also observed male humpback dolphins acting as "wingmen" for each other-- this type of male cooperation is unusual in dolphins given that paternity can't be shared. "This is a sexual display involving object carrying by humpback dolphins," said Simon Allen, the lead author of a study on the phenomenon that was released last month. Big boys onlyLeaping humpback dolphinOnly the big male dolphins put on this show, and almost always, it's for the benefit of the female dolphins. Some male dolphins even adopt the "banana pose," whereby a big male will lie at the water surface with his head and tail arched up -- almost as if he is flexing his muscles.

Source: CNN November 27, 2017 08:26 UTC