Scientists from the SETI Institute and the University of California, Davis, have documented humpback whales creating bubble rings during interactions with humans. This behavior, observed in 2025, may be a form of communication or play, adding to the WhaleSETI team's research on non-human intelligence.
The study, published in the journal Marine Mammal Science, analyzed 12 episodes involving 11 whales producing 39 bubble rings. These rings, resembling smoke rings, were often created during friendly encounters with boats and swimmers. The whales did not appear to be hunting or competing, suggesting a different purpose for the behavior.
The WhaleSETI project aims to understand non-human intelligence to aid in the search for extraterrestrial life. By studying whale behavior, researchers hope to develop filters to identify potential signals from extraterrestrial civilizations. The team's findings highlight the complex social behaviors and curiosity of humpback whales, making them ideal subjects for this research.