Antarctica Humpback whales dive into the ocean and blow columns of bubbles upward, creating a trap to trap their prey.
Humpback whales create bubble net. Video : Piet van den Bemd
Photographer Piet van den Bemd used a drone to capture a unique scene in the deep blue waters of Antarctica, Science Alert reported on January 10. The light blue bubbles emerged, forming a shape that closely resembled the Fibonacci spiral - a famous mathematical pattern that often appears in the natural world , from plants to animals. When the spiral was completed, Bemd realized that the author was a pair of humpback whales. They surfaced in the middle of the spiral, opening their giant mouths to feed.
For more than 30 years, researchers have recognized that humpback whales use bubbles as tools. Sometimes, they use them to intimidate rivals, and perhaps even as a form of entertainment. Other times, whales create giant “walls” of bubbles to trap fish and shrimp-like creatures in increasingly tight spaces. This tactic, known as “bubble-net feeding,” is accomplished cooperatively by two or more humpback whales.
In the bubble net feeding tactic, whales dive deep down while blowing bubbles upwards. When working in groups, one whale usually takes on the main bubble blowing role, while the others swim around and herd the fish into the trap.
Once the fish are cornered, the whales open their mouths wide and begin swallowing their prey. They often dive through the center of the spiral. This strategy appears to be learned among individuals, but because of the elusive lifestyle of humpback whales, it is rarely captured on camera. To date, the bubble net feeding strategy has been documented primarily in northern hemisphere whale populations.
Amateur scientists with drones are helping to change that. Aerial footage provides scientists with valuable insights into the lives of whales. In the Southern Hemisphere, drones have captured several instances of humpback whales feeding on bubble nets in recent years.
Thu Thao (According to Science Alert )
Source link
Comment (0)