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December 25, 2025
Wild animals are great gift givers – and there’s one present in particular I’d love to receive for Christmas
Penguins hand over pebbles; scorpionflies give spitballs. But I’m hankering after a sea sponge presented by a dolphin
TL;DR
- Animal gifting predates human evolution, with some species perfecting the art over millions of years.
- Gift categories observed in animals include food, home items, bling, skincare, and clothing.
- Great grey shrikes create 'artisan kebabs' by impaling prey on thorns for their mates.
- Scorpionflies present females with nutrient-dense spitballs, signifying the male's genetic fitness.
- Adélie penguins give pebbles to females as a sign of commitment, akin to a diamond ring.
- Crows offer shiny objects like bottle tops and buttons, sometimes as a gesture of appreciation.
- Dolphins use sea sponges as tools for protection and as gifts, wearing them like hats to woo females.
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