Recent research suggests that humpback whales may be engaging in playful communication with humans, a fascinating discovery made by scientists from the SETI Institute, a prominent nonprofit research organization based in Silicon Valley. In a paper published last month in the journal Marine Mammal Science, the researchers documented instances of humpback whales creating large bubble rings during friendly interactions with humans, akin to the rings produced by humans when blowing smoke.
This behavior, although not extensively studied, could indicate a form of play or communication among these majestic marine mammals. While it is already known that humpback whales utilize bubbles to corral prey, and males often produce bubble trails during mating competition, the recent observations highlight a new aspect of whale behavior—creating bubble rings during friendly encounters with humans. According to the SETI Institute, these findings contribute to a broader understanding of non-human intelligence and its implications for extraterrestrial life research.
The SETI whale research team is focusing on developing filters to help parse cosmic signals for potential signs of extraterrestrial life. By examining intelligent communication systems in non-terrestrial or aquatic creatures like humpback whales, scientists hope to gain insights into the nature of intelligence beyond Earth. Laurance Doyle, a scientist at the SETI Institute and co-author of the study, emphasized that current assumptions in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence posit that such life will seek contact with humans. This notion is supported by the curious behavior displayed by humpback whales.
During their study, researchers analyzed 12 episodes of bubble ring production, involving a total of 39 rings made by 11 individual humpback whales. The findings suggest that these whales are intentionally directing bubble rings toward humans, indicating a playful interaction and an attempt to communicate. Fred Sharpe, a co-author of the paper, noted that this behavior reflects the complex social structures of humpback whales, which are known for their acoustic diversity and innovative use of bubble tools to engage with their environment.
According to Jodi Frediani, a marine wildlife photographer and co-author of the study, humpback whales often exhibit friendly and inquisitive behavior towards boats and humans. The researchers have identified a dozen whales from various populations globally, with most voluntarily approaching boats and swimmers while producing bubble rings during these curious interactions.
For decades, scientists have been fascinated by how intelligent marine mammals, such as whales and dolphins, communicate with each other. In a notable study conducted in 2021, researchers from the SETI Institute recorded a conversation with a humpback whale named Twain by playing whale calls through an underwater speaker. This ongoing research underscores the importance of understanding marine mammal communication and its potential connections to broader questions about intelligence and communication across species.
