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Researchers analyzed 12 bubble ring–production episodes involving 39 rings made by 11 individual whales, they said. They determined the whales are blowing bubble rings in the direction of humans in an apparent attempt to playfully interact, observe humans' response and engage in some form of communication, Fred Sharpe, a co-author of the paper, said in a statement.
\"Humpback whales live in complex societies, are acoustically diverse, use bubble tools and assist other species being harassed by predators,\" Sharpe, who is a legacy board member of the Alaska Whale Foundation, said.
Humpback whales often display \"inquisitive, friendly behavior\" toward boats and humans, according to Jodi Frediani, a marine wildlife photographer and paper co-author.
\"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,\" Frediani said.
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/US/humpback-whale-01-gty-jef-250609_1749484213036_hpMain_4x3t_384.jpg\")
For decades, scientists have been studying how intelligent marine mammals such as whales and dolphins communicate with each other. In 2021, researchers from the SETI Institute recorded a conversation with a humpback whale named Twain by playing whale calls through an underwater speaker.
Last year, another group of researchers at the University of Southern Denmark discovered how baleen whales are able to sing underwater. Also in 2024, SETI Institute researchers discovered that whale calls made during bubble feeding events were likely a way for whales to issue instructions to the group.
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