Curious humpback whales approach humans and blow bubble 'smoke' rings
- A research team from the SETI Institute and UC Davis documented 11 humpback whales producing nearly 40 bubble rings during 12 friendly interactions with humans worldwide.
- These findings expand on existing knowledge that humpback whales form intricate social groups, employ bubbles as interactive tools, and frequently display curious and amicable behavior toward boats and swimmers.
- Scientists propose that the bubble rings resemble smoke rings and likely serve as playful communication or curiosity during these curious whale-human encounters.
- Co-Lead author Jodi Frediani reported that they have identified twelve whales from various global populations, with most of these individuals willingly approaching boats and swimmers while blowing bubble rings.
- The findings provide new insights into animal intelligence and support broader research into non-human intelligence that may aid the search for extraterrestrial life.
38 Articles
38 Articles


Humpback whales may be secretly trying to talk to humans, scientists say
Researchers say findings can potentially help refine methods for detecting extraterrestrial life
Humpback whales may be trying to communicate with humans
Humpback whales are some of the most intelligent creatures humans have ever had the chance to observe. However, researchers have encountered a bit of a conundrum with these massive sea-bound creatures. According to studies published in the past few years, humpback whales may be trying to communicate with humans. Previous research into this phenomenon has shown that the potential for humans to talk to these massive mammals exists. An earlier stud…
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