this post was submitted on 08 Jul 2025
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Science

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Humpback Whales Blow Bubble ‘Smoke’ Rings to Communicate With Humans (www.kqed.org)
submitted 1 week ago by alyaza@beehaw.org to c/science@beehaw.org
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Humpback whales may be trying to communicate with us, using bubbles.

For the first time, scientists from the SETI Institute and UC Davis have documented humpback whales blowing large “vortex bubble rings” that resemble “smoke” rings during calm, voluntary interactions with humans — behavior that appears unrelated to feeding, mating or defense.

“Humpback whales often exhibit inquisitive, friendly behavior towards boats and human swimmers,” said Jodi Frediani, a marine wildlife photographer and UC Davis affiliate, in a press release.

The team observed 12 separate bubble ring episodes involving 11 whales and 39 rings across the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Researchers say the bubble rings differ from other whale behaviors involving bubbles.

While humpbacks commonly use bubble nets to trap prey and bubble trails during mating, these bubble rings seemed to occur only during relaxed, voluntary encounters with humans — not while hunting or competing for mates.

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[–] codexarcanum@lemmy.dbzer0.com 12 points 1 week ago (1 children)

If you were trying to show another species that you were intelligent, sending basic shapes isn't a terrible way to demonstrate understanding of some abstract ideas. Fascinating to consider what they're "saying" with these.

[–] HumanPenguin@feddit.uk 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Added to idea they recognise very simple geometry

The fact they communicated the idea to at least 11 Wales. Then openly demonstrating this fact to humans.

Is way more sci fi plot like. Sounds very like a star trek tng plot idea. Alien sludge creatures trying to prove to another race. That they are more then lighting oil to be killed and sold in barrels.