A humpback whale dives to begin bubble-net feeding in the Great Bear Rainforest.
Humpback Whale Bubble-net Feeding
Bubble-net feeding is a strategy requiring remarkable intelligence and teamwork. The lead whale lunges first and locates the fish, while the other whales follow taking the same formation each time. Once the fish are located, the lead whale begins blowing bubbles which functions as a net trapping the fish. Using vocalizations, the whales communicate when to blow more bubbles, and at what point to simultaneously rise to the surface with open mouths and swallow the fish.