Humpback Whale: Hunting Technique

But more impressive than Humpback size is there intelligence and sophisticated way they work together. Hunt begins as whales dive beneath the school of Herring, emitting high pitch calls. In a panic, the fish plead to the surface where the whales concentrate them by releasing columns of air bubbles.

The bubbles act as barrier. The fish will not swim through it. The whales coordinate their efforts so the bubbles surround the Herring. Finally the pod leader emits sound that cues all the whales to ascend with mouth open.

A Humpback could eat a ton a day this way. Incredibly, each whale ascends in the same position in the same pattern time after time.