DECODING THE HUMPBACK BUBBLE RING

The whales do not sing because they have an answer, they sing because they have a song.

- By Ministry Earth

Over the past 35 years, scuba divers and whale-watchers have occasionally witnessed humpbacks producing perfect, doughnut-shaped bubble rings whenever people draw near. Rather than the tumults of bubble-net feeding or competitive bursts in mating displays, these rings are gently crafted, often during slow, curious approaches toward swimmers or boats.

A recent analysis of 12 such encounters, totaling 39 distinct rings led researchers from the SETI Institute and UC Davis to propose a bold idea: these majestic cetaceans might be attempting to say “hello” to us with playful underwater “smoke rings,” rather than simply showing off or foraging.