During a guided tour through Antarctic waters, photographer Piet van den Bemd witnessed something extraordinary: two humpback whales crafting a mesmerizing spiral of bubbles on the ocean’s surface. Viewed from above, the pattern appeared strikingly similar to the Fibonacci spiral—a mathematical sequence often found in nature, like sunflowers, seashells, and galaxies.
As the scene unfolded, the spiral revealed its true purpose. Emerging from its center, the whales surfaced with mouths wide open, feeding in perfect harmony. Van den Bemd described the experience as “unforgettable,” adding, “The precision of the spiral, reminiscent of a Fibonacci sequence, made it absolutely surreal.”
Bubble-Net Feeding: A Cooperative Wonder
For decades, scientists have known that humpback whales use bubbles as tools—whether to confuse prey, deter rivals, or execute their most sophisticated hunting technique: bubble-net feeding.
In this cooperative behavior, one whale acts as the “bubble blower,” creating a barrier while others circle to herd fish or krill toward the center. When the prey is densely packed, the whales launch upward with mouths agape, consuming massive amounts of food.
Van den Bemd shared the footage on Instagram, calling the synchronized movement “a masterpiece of collaboration beneath the waves.” While the spiral may resemble a Fibonacci shape, researchers believe it’s more likely a product of the whales’ precise timing and teamwork.
Unlocking Whales’ Secrets with Drone Technology
Capturing these intricate behaviors has long been a challenge due to the secretive nature of whales. Until recently, bubble-net feeding was primarily observed in humpbacks from the Northern Hemisphere. But with drones now providing bird’s-eye views, researchers and citizen scientists alike are gaining unprecedented insights into whale behavior.
Drone footage has confirmed similar feeding strategies in the Southern Hemisphere. In one striking example, 33 humpback whales were filmed off eastern Australia cooperating in a massive bubble-net feeding effort. This discovery challenged prior beliefs that whales don’t feed in their breeding grounds, raising new questions about migration and feeding patterns.
Playful or Purposeful?
Not all bubble patterns are linked to hunting. Some researchers speculate that whales may create bubbles for practice—or simply for fun. Photographer Doug Perrine once observed a young female humpback blowing a circular pattern around herself, with no prey or other whales nearby.
“She tilted to one side, seemingly admiring the bubbles from below,” Perrine recalled. “Was she honing her bubble-netting skills, or just enjoying the beauty of her creation?”
The playful, curious nature of humpbacks suggests there’s much more to learn about these majestic giants. With drones continuing to unveil their secrets, scientists are hopeful that future discoveries will deepen our understanding of whale behavior and the intricate world beneath the waves.
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