Humpback Whales Use Complicated Bubble Nets

Humpback whales may not have hands, but they’ve demonstrated a remarkable ability to craft tools in the ocean. Recent research has revealed that these majestic creatures use bubbles to create intricate nets, a behavior that qualifies them as tool users.

In a study conducted off the coast of Alaska, scientists observed humpback whales constructing these bubble nets over five days in July 2019. They returned over the next two years, documenting hundreds of bubble nets formed by dozens of individual whales. The study found that the whales were not randomly blowing bubbles but were deliberately crafting the nets by controlling the size, depth, and spacing of the bubbles to effectively trap krill and fish.

Despite the energy invested in creating these nets, the whales’ breathing rates remained similar to those of whales that didn’t use bubble nets, suggesting that the technique isn’t about conserving energy. Instead, it seems to be about maximizing food intake, as the prey density within these nets was found to be seven times greater than in areas where whales simply lunged at their prey.

This sophisticated use of bubbles to manipulate the environment meets the scientific definition of tool use, placing humpback whales among a select group of animals known to craft and modify tools. Their skillful bubble-blowing showcases not only their intelligence but also the remarkable adaptations that have evolved in the ocean.

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