Whales are widely regarded as intelligent animals. They communicate with intricate sounds, move in social groups and demonstrate powerful memories. Yet what does it mean when their behaviour is unrelated to feeding or mating? Might bubble rings provide a creative, playful way for them to interact?
Researchers at the SETI Institute and the University of California at Davis (UC Davis) have, for the first time, recorded humpback whales making bubble rings during amicable encounters with people.
Unlike the bubble nets used for hunting, these rings resemble rotating smoke doughnuts as they drift slowly upwards from the depths.
Rare insights into non-human creativity
Scientists working with WhaleSETI documented 39 bubble rings made by 11 whales in 12 separate episodes. The observations took place in Hawai‘i, the Dominican Republic, Mo‘orea and waters off the US Atlantic coast.
The research provides unusual evidence of non-human creativity and indicates that making rings may be linked to play, communication or curiosity.
Frame-by-frame footage showed that at least one whale formed a ring with just one nostril. In these enormous mammals, this finding points to highly precise motor control.
Why do whales create bubble rings?
“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,” said Dr. Laurance Doyle, SETI Institute scientist and co-author on the paper.
“This important assumption is certainly supported by the independent evolution of curious behavior in humpback whales.”
The whales did not release bubble rings when prey were present or during confrontations. Rather, they seemed calm and travelled at an unhurried pace.
Before producing a ring, they frequently came towards boats or swimmers. In nine episodes classified as inquisitive, the whales paid no attention to other whales and instead concentrated on nearby people or vessels.
Seven of the eight whales that blew rings came within one body length of a boat or swimmer. In one instance, a whale’s ring partly enclosed a swimmer at the surface.
Play or signal? The debate continues
“Humpback whales live in complex societies, are acoustically diverse, use bubble tools and assist other species being harassed by predators,” said co-lead author Dr. Fred Sharpe.
“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.”
Although dolphins and beluga whales have previously been observed making bubble rings, this is the first thoroughly documented example involving baleen whales.
Previous drone surveys, totalling thousands of hours across Hawai‘i, Alaska, Antarctica and Bermuda, did not detect rings when humans were not nearby. This may mean humpbacks aim these displays at people, whether for play or communication.
The researchers reported that bubble rings were commonly accompanied by gentle rolling, head raising or spy-hopping. Such playful behaviour reinforces the view that ring-blowing is deliberate rather than accidental. One whale even handled seaweed before making a ring.
Searching for alien intelligence
“Humpback whales often exhibit inquisitive, friendly behavior towards boats and human swimmers,” said 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 behavior.”
Most rings were produced through the blowhole, without conspicuous movements beforehand. Whereas dolphins visibly prepare before creating a ring, whales offer no such signal. The movement seems fluid and abrupt, lacking body jolts or an O-shaped naris.
The team proposes that humpbacks could be taking part in “play with a purpose.” Play may be a flexible means of testing surroundings, objects and reactions. It could also support connections between species, in the way a dolphin might lift a swimmer or a whale might examine a person.
Just as in the earliest attempts to identify alien signals, spotting play and curiosity in other species helps teach us how to listen.
The WhaleSETI team considers behaviours such as ring-blowing potential training data for improving algorithms that interpret unfamiliar signals.
Significance of humpback whale bubble rings
During these encounters, the whales displayed no evidence of fear, irritation or aggression. Many remained after making a ring, perhaps observing how people responded. One whale produced 11 rings during one episode, indicating purposeful repetition.
Bubble patterns - including rings, plumes and bursts - could represent a continuum. Certain bubbles may be unsuccessful rings, while others might communicate intentions or social information. Recording these behaviours alongside their circumstances can deepen our understanding of other minds.
The researchers encourage whale watchers, swimmers and boaters to report these observations. Reports should give the location and behaviour, as well as visual evidence where available. Citizen reports can create a fuller record of whale behaviour and possible interspecies connection.
Karen Pryor, a renowned animal trainer, observed that bubble-production patterns in cetaceans are a form of communication unavailable to land mammals.
If whales are attempting to communicate with us through bubble rings, even as play, we ought to listen.
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