ISLAMABAD: Scientists have discovered a fascinating form of communication among humpback whales that may offer new clues in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.
Researchers from the SETI Institute identified large, smoke ring-like bubbles produced by whales underwater, which appear to be a playful way of greeting humans nearby.
This is the first time such intentional bubble ring signals have been documented as a form of interaction between whales and people in the wild.
Bubble Rings as a Form of Interaction
Previously, bubble rings were observed mainly during feeding or mating behaviors in humpback whales.
However, new findings suggest that whales create these rings intentionally to capture human attention, akin to saying “hello.”
Scientists analyzed 39 bubble ring events involving 11 whales from 2019 to 2023, recorded by naturalists, researchers, and citizen scientists across different environments including boats and aircraft.
Most bubble rings were produced out of curiosity, with whales often approaching humans calmly and showing playful behavior such as tail splashing and water spraying.
Implications for Alien Intelligence Search
The SETI team believes this discovery could influence how researchers search for intelligent life beyond Earth.
The bubble rings represent an unusual but intentional signal, encouraging scientists to broaden their perspectives on how alien life forms might communicate.
Dr. Fred Sharpe, co-lead author of the study, explained that humpbacks’ playful bubble rings might reflect a form of marine intelligence attempting communication, similar to how extraterrestrial beings might try to reach us across vast distances.
This breakthrough not only expands our understanding of marine mammal behavior but also opens new doors in the quest for life beyond our planet.
