Biology
Social Learning of Foraging Techniques in Humpback Whales
Quick fact
Humpback whales in the Gulf of Maine teach each other a feeding trick called 'lobtail feeding'—slapping the water with their tail before lunging—and this behavior spread rapidly through the population, a clear sign of cultural transmission.
Why this is interesting
Imagine a whale that learns a clever trick from its neighbor, not by instinct but by watching. In the vast ocean, humpback whales are doing just that—passing down hunting techniques like family recipes.