Researchers have discovered that humpback whales do more than just create ‘bubble-nets’; they actively manipulate these tools to enhance their feeding efficiency.
Humpback whales blow bubbles in specific patterns, forming nets with internal rings.
The whales control various aspects of the bubble-net, including: The number of rings, The size and depth of the net, The spacing between individual bubbles.
By manipulating the bubble-net in this manner, the whales can capture significantly more prey—up to seven times more—in a single feeding dive.
This advanced technique allows the whales to increase their food intake without expending additional energy.
The humpback whale is a species of baleen whale.
It is a rorqual and is the only species in the genus Megaptera.
Adults range in length from 14–17 m and weigh up to 40 metric tons.
The humpback has a distinctive body shape, with long pectoral fins and tubercles on its head
They are normally sighted in small groups
Humpbacks are highly active at the surface, performing aerial behaviors such as breaching and surface slapping with the tail (lobtailing) and flippers.
These may be forms of play and communication and/or for removing parasites
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