Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins
may rub against corals in order to treat skin conditions, according to a new article by scientists from Switzerland, Germany and Egypt.
Scientists described how
Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins repeatedly rubbed against three distinct types of coral in the northern Red Sea selectively and preferentially.
The dolphins used specific
coral for specific body parts based on differences in the properties of the coral and the sensitivity of their body parts.
For example,
their strong head would be rubbed against harder corals. Dolphins in groups would even queue up and take turns rubbing against coral.
The scientists found
that when the dolphins rubbed against the corals, it caused them to release mucus.
Scientist's team analyzed
the mucus and found 17 active metabolites with antibacterial, antioxidative, hormonal and toxic activities.