As intimidating as they seem up close, humpback whales often see humans as friends, not foes. The sociability of these gentle souls is perhaps best represented by a curious behavior they exhibit when approaching humans, in which they create large bubble rings that look like “smoke rings” as they rise to the surface.
A recent study published in Marine Mammal Science suggests that humpback whales may be sending bubble rings like messages to humans as a way to break the ice. Humpback whales have been known to use bubbles as tools, but these new observations reveal a playful side to their skills. Their friendly bubble-blowing behavior is the latest sign that whale intelligence is extremely complex and in need of further research.
Humpback whales are known for being calm and non-aggressive during encounters with humans. In fact, these whales rarely attack humans unprovoked, and any damage they inflict upon vessels ...
