Scientists have long thought humpbacks loners. New research shows this isn't so: Researchers have observed some female whale form friendships that last for years. The behavior has only been observed in lady humpbacks of similar age, with the whales going their separate ways during the breeding season, but reuniting in the open ocean each summer. These bonds can be quite strong: the longest association endured for six years. The study appears in the journal Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, and it also found that the whales with the longest-lasting associations gave birth to the most calves--another animal kingdom example that friendship is beneficial. The whales are probably improving their feeding efficiency, suggests lead author Christian Ramp.
"Staying together for a prolonged period of time requires a constant effort. That means that they feed together, but likely also rest together.... So an individual is adapting its behaviour to another one." [BBC]
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