When humpbacks hunt: Catching fish with Fibonacci spirals, whales stun with acquired intelligence

Bubble hunting is a common technique humpbacks use, but not everyone can do it. These whales feed by surfacing with open mouths, consuming any fish they encounter. However, when applying the bubble technique, their success is not solely reliant on coincidence.

By diving under a chosen school of fish, they ensure an abundance of catches with every ascension. Bubbles rising from the whale's blowholes create a kind of net, a natural barrier preventing the fish from escaping.

Observing this hunting technique from above is an extraordinary sight, as showcased in the recent footage shot by drone by polar photographer Piet van den Bemd.

The humpback whales' bubble net forms a Fibonacci spiral, the renowned pattern of nature.

The Fibonacci sequence is a mathematical pattern where each successive number is the sum of the two preceding numbers: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, and so forth. It's not just a mathematical theoretical concept; it's a pattern that nature universally utilizes.

According to the Fibonacci sequence, plant stems form a network of branches and leaves. Characteristic spirals can be observed in shells, ocean waves, fruits, and flowers, as well as in the human body structure and the formation of galaxies.

Just because the hunting technique of the two humpbacks illustrated the Fibonacci sequence does not imply that these intelligent animals do it deliberately. The bubbles trace their swimming paths, and swimming in arcs that form a golden spiral may be the most efficient and instinctively chosen.

Bubble feeding or hunting is not suited for solitary individuals, and recent observations validate that this behavior is acquired, not instinctual. This strategy is adopted by many, but only well-organized humpback pods. While one or more whales create the bubble net, other pod members strategically herd the fish into it.

By undertaking specific roles during the hunt, humpbacks make their task easier. Hunting in a team requires effective communication and predictable movement. They can enhance the group's hunting efforts by following a rhythm and direction in line with this natural mathematical sequence.

The environment also plays a part. Although humpbacks are enormous creatures in the water, it's most efficient for them to adapt to, rather than combat, ocean currents and local gyres. In this circumstance, a path along arcs corresponding to the shapes of the Fibonacci spiral may be particularly advantageous.