Species evolved to use a wheel-like object

This question is intended as a follow up to this one: Naturally occurring wheels - do the 'mech' vs. 'tank' comparison apply to organics?

I agree with the arguments against wheels evolving in place of hoofs/feet in the answer, however, I was wondering if there was a way to make a creature that uses wheels, without sapience or reasoning to build them.

My idea was to have a species which evolve naturally feet, or something similar. However, which then adopted a way to optionally choose to use some naturally existing item as a wheel analog in addition to walking. I'm specifically thinking of a creature that does not have wheels of it's own, but instead an adaptation that allows them to coveneintly use an existing object as a sort of external wheel when it would prove useful; but does this out of instinct rather then reasoned use of technology.

For instance, perhaps there is a species that often travels plans that tend to have long smooth slopes. When at the top of one of these hills if they find a fallen long they (armored) front limbs into either side of the log and push off to roll down with the log (okay, that example doesn't really work, but you get the idea).

Can anyone come up with a credible way with which a species may have evolved to instinctual use 'wheel' technology? Any example where they benefit from the 'wheels' and could plausible evolve the adaptation works is fine, no specifically how or how frequently they use the 'wheels'. For instance maybe the 'wheels' are only used for carrying food stuffs or newborns. However, it must be an example of adaptation, not intelligent use of technology.

posted almost 9 years ago

dsollen‭

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