AnimalsJune 19, 2025
Humpback Whales Are Blowing ‘Bubble Rings’ at Boats. Are They Trying to Communicate?
Researchers bring a SETI approach to the question of what—if anything—humpbacks’ underwater smoke rings might be trying to “say”
Stories by Melissa Hobson
Melissa Hobson, doing business as The Ocean Writer, is a marine science and conservation writer based in Hastings, England. She has written about the ocean for several outlets, including National Geographic, New Scientist, the Guardian and the Sunday Times. Visit Hobson’s website at www.melissahobson.co.uk or follow her on LinkedIn.
TechnologyMay 23, 2025
Building an LLM for Dolphin Chatter
A large language model for dolphin vocalization could let us better understand these beloved marine mammals.
Artificial IntelligenceApril 14, 2025
Google Is Training AI to Speak Dolphin
Google is developing an LLM that could help us communicate with dolphins
AnimalsSeptember 18, 2024
Mystery of Deep-Ocean ‘Biotwang’ Sound Has Finally Been Solved
A strange sound dubbed “biotwang” was first heard bouncing around the Mariana Trench 10 years ago, and scientists have finally figured out where it comes from
AnimalsMay 30, 2024
Solar Storms Are Probably Messing with Wildlife Migrations
Solar storms that create auroras affect Earth’s magnetic field and may cause migratory species, such as many whales and birds, to lose their way
AnimalsMarch 1, 2024
Humpback Whale Sex Observed for the First Time Ever, between Two Males
Photographers captured a healthy male humpback penetrating a weaker individual in the first record of humpback whale sex