Animal Toolbox

Have you ever dug a hole with a shovel, or helped a grownup hammer a nail? We humans have come up with all kinds of handy tools to help us get the job done. But did you know that animals also use tools?

God created humans in his image, unique and separate from animals. We are creative, intelligent, and capable. But God also gave critters the smarts and instincts they need to survive in a fallen world. Sometimes that means reaching for just the right tool.

Stick to It

Chimpanzees use sticks to poke termite or ant mounds. When they pull the stick out, they eat the insects gathered on the stick—kind of like the insect version of Fun Dip candy.

Dinner in a Zap

Pom-pom crabs have a cute name—but watch out for these crafty crabs! They carry stinging sea anemones in their claws and use them as defense against predators. They also eat the food the anemone catches.

A Tool That Rocks

Instead of a fork or a spoon, sea otters use rocks to dig into their meal. They store the rocks in a pouch of skin under their front legs until they’re ready to use them to crack open mussels and crabs, their favorite foods.

Scratch That Itch

Puffins use sticks to scratch their backs.

Nose Know-How

In Shark Bay, Australia, female bottlenose dolphins sometimes carry sea sponges when they dive. Some scientists believe the dolphins do this to protect their noses from bumping into rocks or spiny creatures. Other scientists think the dolphins use sponges to stir up food to eat.

Shoo, Fly

Asian elephants whittle down branches to the perfect size for swatting at flies.

Get Crackin’

Japanese carrion crows drop nuts onto the road and wait for cars to drive by and crush the shells. Then the crows retrieve the cracked nuts to eat.