# Orcas in the North Pacific have been seen “massaging” each other, by rubbing pieces of kelp between their bodies. Researchers used drones to film the animals and think the massages might have a health or hygiene function. They also believe they are a form of social bonding, while appearing to be an example of tool use in killer whales. Over 12 days of studying a population of orcas in the coastal waters off Washington State, the team recorded 30 bouts of kelp massage.
Killer whales make kelp tools to ‘massage’ each other