Humpback whales dive into the ocean and blow columns of bubbles upwards, creating a trap to capture their prey.
A pair of humpback whales creating a bubble net. (Video: Piet van den Bemd).
Photographer Piet van den Bemd used a drone to capture this unique spectacle in the deep blue waters of Antarctica, as reported by Science Alert on January 10. The light blue bubbles rising up formed a shape very similar to the Fibonacci spiral – a famous mathematical pattern frequently found in the natural world, from plants to animals. It was only when the spiral was complete that Bemd realized the creators were a pair of humpback whales. They surfaced within the spiral, opening their enormous mouths to feed.
For over 30 years, researchers have recognized that humpback whales use bubbles as tools. Sometimes, bubbles are used to intimidate competitors, and they may even serve as a form of entertainment. At other times, whales create massive “walls” of bubbles to confine fish and shrimp-like creatures into increasingly smaller spaces. This is the “bubble net feeding” strategy, performed collaboratively by two or more humpback whales.
In the bubble net feeding strategy, whales dive deep and simultaneously blow bubbles upwards. In coordinated groups, one whale often takes the lead in bubble-blowing, while others swim around and herd fish into this trap.
Humpback whale surfaces in the spiral, opening its huge mouth to feed.
Once the fish are herded together, the whale opens its mouth wide and begins to swallow its prey. They often rush through the center of the spiral. This strategy seems to be passed down among individuals, but due to the elusive nature of humpback whales, it is rarely captured on camera. To date, the bubble net feeding strategy has primarily been documented in populations of whales in the Northern Hemisphere.
Aerial footage captured by amateur scientists using drones is helping to change this. The aerial videos provide valuable insights into the lives of whales. In the Southern Hemisphere, drones have recorded several instances of humpback whales engaging in bubble net feeding in recent years.
