Researchers from the SETI Institute, University of California, Davis, and partner institutions have discovered that humpback whales’ friendly interactions with humans may hold clues to understanding extraterrestrial life. The study published in Marine Mammal Science shows that humpback whales blow bubble rings during amicable encounters with humans, a behavior that could represent playfulness or an attempt at communication.
Humpback whales are known to be intelligent and social creatures, often interacting curiously with boats and swimmers. By analyzing their behavior, scientists hope to broaden their understanding of unfamiliar forms of communication and refine what they should look for in the search for life beyond Earth.
The study’s findings support a key assumption in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence: that non-human intelligent beings may communicate in unexpected ways. By studying humpback whales’ behavior, researchers aim to be better prepared if contact with an alien species ever occurs.
The approach is part of a broader effort to simulate extraterrestrial scenarios and hypothesize how humans might come into contact with an alien civilization. By embracing unconventional methods, scientists can gain new insights into the nature of intelligence and communication in the universe.
Source: https://gizmodo.com/what-whale-bubbles-can-teach-us-about-alien-communication-2000613600