Whales Blow Bubble Rings in Apparent Attempts to Communicate
Scientists Explore Potential ‘Language’ of Humpbacks, Drawing Parallels to SETI
Researchers are increasingly convinced that humpback whales aren’t just communicating with each other, but may be actively trying to interact with humans—and they’re using bubble rings as a potential messaging system. This discovery is prompting a re-evaluation of animal communication and informing the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.
Bubble-Ring Behavior Observed Globally
A recent study published in Marine Mammal Science details observations of humpback whales creating bubble rings during encounters with boats and swimmers. The research, conducted by scientists from the SETI Institute and the University of California, analyzed 12 episodes involving 39 rings produced by 11 different whales across various populations.
Jodi Frediani, a marine wildlife photographer and co-lead author, noted, “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.”
Echoes of the Search for Extraterrestrial Life
The team at the SETI Institute, whose primary goal is to understand the origins of intelligence in the universe, are drawing parallels between these whale interactions and the search for extraterrestrial signals. They are treating the bubble rings as a “candidate signal”—akin to intriguing radio waves detected from space—requiring careful analysis to decipher its meaning.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the North Atlantic humpback whale population is estimated at over 10,000 individuals as of 2023, highlighting the scale of potential communication networks within this species. (NOAA Humpback Whale Fact Sheet)
Previous Research Laid the Groundwork
Prior studies have already demonstrated the intelligence and complex social structures of humpback whales. In 2021, researchers from the SETI Institute engaged in a “conversation” with a whale named Twain, successfully eliciting responses to played whale calls. A 2024 study further suggested that bubble-net feeding calls aren’t random, but may contain specific instructions or commentary.
“Humpback whales live in complex societies, are acoustically diverse, use bubble tools and assist other species being harassed by predators,”
—Fred Sharpe, Co-lead Author
Sharpe continued, “Now, akin to a candidate signal, 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.”
Future Implications
The Whale-SETI team hopes to leverage these findings to develop filters for analyzing cosmic signals, potentially aiding in the detection of extraterrestrial life. By studying whale communication—both verbal and non-verbal—and utilizing artificial intelligence, they aim to unlock the secrets of interspecies communication, with implications extending far beyond our planet.
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