A team of researchers from SETI was working on non-human intelligence and achieved communication with humpback whales. It is said that these kinds of conversations might help in understanding extraterrestrial intelligence in depth.
One “very near approach” involved a humpback whale and the SETI Institute, which looks for intelligent extraterrestrial species. As part of their research into the hunt for alien intelligence, teams at the institution analyzed whale communication networks and created “intelligence filters.”
Humpback Whales – Non human Signals :
Many people refer to humpback whales’ intricate and varied vocalizations as “singing.” Males make these noises, which are assumed to be important for communication and mating rituals. The vocalizations of humpback whales are non-human messages with a variety of uses. Here are a few crucial elements:
Songs: Male humpback whales may sing for up to 20 minutes straight, and they are recognised for being lengthy and intricate. These tunes are audible over long distances and are played nonstop for hours. These songs are thought to have something to do with enticing females and mating behavior.
Social Communication: Within their social groupings, humpback whales can communicate using a range of additional vocalizations. They might be moans, groans, grunts, and other noises. It’s possible that these non-song vocalizations are employed for social interactions, such as keeping in touch with other whales, organizing events for the group, or expressing feelings.
Feeding Calls: Although they are most recognized for their singing, humpback whales also make unique noises when they are feeding. Among these noises is the sound of whales bubble-net feeding, in which they concentrate and corral prey with a circular “net” of bubbles before lunging into the center with their jaws open.
Echolocation: Humpback whales, like many other whale species, utilize echolocation to find and navigate to prey. They still utilize their echolocation clicks to find food and navigate their surroundings, even if they are not as loud as those of certain other toothed whales.
Physical Displays: Apart from their vocalizations, humpback whales also use physical displays including breaching, tail slapping, and pectoral fin slapping to convey their messages. These behaviors might be used for play, social signaling, or even as a way to communicate across great distances via vibrations in the water.
Close Counters at Alaska :
Humpback whales were in interaction with researchers from the Alaska Whale Foundation, the University of California Davis, and the SETI Institute. A humpback whale named Twain came and surrounded their boats as they placed an underwater speaker to play a prerecorded humpback “contact call” in the depths of the ocean. The whale matched the interval alterations between each signal and reacted to each replayed call.
As per the findings of a study published in the journal PeerJ, co-author Brenda McCowan of UC Davis speculates that this may be the first instance of humans and humpback whales communicating in the original language. With intricate social structures, humpback whales are highly intelligent creatures. They even create tools and use songs and various call kinds to communicate.
SETI Press release claims:
The goal of the Whale-SETI team’s research is to build filters to apply to any alien signals that are received. This research is similar to the study of Antarctica as a stand-in for Mars. We’ll use information theory mathematics to measure communicative complexity, such as the standard structure contained in a message that was received.
Along with Dr. Josie Hubbard, Lisa Walker, and Jodi Frediani, who have expertise in animal intelligence, humpback whale song analysis, and humpback whale behavior and photography, respectively, these individuals are also team members and coauthors of the research. The team is about to release a second research on the non-auditory communication behavior of humpback whales, namely their use of bubble rings created for human observers. For providing financial support for this work, the authors would like to thank the Templeton Foundation Diverse Intelligences Programme.
An Aid to Alien Communication :
In an effort to gain a better understanding of how to identify and decipher messages from space, researchers are examining humpback communications, just like astronaut teams practice Moon missions in simulations here on Earth. The results of the investigation can be used to create filters that we may apply to any communications we receive from extraterrestrials. In an effort to get ready for extraterrestrial contact, SETI recently mimicked receiving a signal from Mars.
