Humpback whales have been spotted blowing bubble rings towards humans in a newly documented behaviour that researchers believe may be playful or communicative.
It's the first time humpback whales have been observed creating stable bubble rings during friendly interactions with humans, such as approaching swimmers or boats, say the researchers, who suggest that these floating rings, which resemble the smoke rings blown by humans, may represent a novel form of non-human expression or curiosity.
The discovery could help in the search for intelligent life beyond Earth, suggest the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Institute and University of California researchers. The findings were published recently in the journal Marine Mammal Science.
Are humpback whales communicating with humans?
Humpback whales are already known to use bubbles as tools – for example, creating bubble nets to herd fish, or bubble trails when competing for mates. But this newly recorded behaviour appears unrelated to feeding or competition, say the study authors. Instead, it suggests playfulness or attempts to engage with humans.
“Humpback whales live in complex societies, are acoustically diverse, use bubble tools and assist other species being harassed by predators,” says co-lead author of the study Dr Fred Sharpe.
"Now... we show they are blowing bubble rings in our direction in an apparent attempt to playfully interact, observe our response, and/or engage in some form of communication,” adds Sharpe.
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The researchers documented 12 episodes involving 11 individual whales across different populations around the world. In each case, the whales approached humans and released a series of bubble rings. A total of 39 rings were observed during these curious encounters.
“Humpback whales often exhibit inquisitive, friendly behaviour towards boats and human swimmers,” says co-lead author Jodi Frediani.
“We’ve now located a dozen whales from populations around the world, the majority of which have voluntarily approached boats and swimmers blowing bubble rings during these episodes of curious behaviour.”
How these bubble rings may help in the search for extraterrestrial life
The study forms part of the WhaleSETI project, which explores non-human intelligence as a model for recognising potential signals from extraterrestrial life.
The researchers say that understanding the ways in which intelligent, non-terrestrial (aquatic), non-human beings – such as humpback whales – express curiosity can help refine methods used to detect alien intelligence.
“Because of current limitations on technology, an important assumption of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence is that extraterrestrial intelligence and life will be interested in making contact and so target human receivers,” says Dr. Laurance Doyle, SETI Institute scientist and co-author on the paper.
"This important assumption is certainly supported by the independent evolution of curious behaviour in humpback whales.”
Find out more about the study: Humpback Whales Blow Poloidal Vortex Bubble Rings
Main image: bubble ring created by a humpback whale. Credit: Dan Knaub, The Video Company
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