Scientists at the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (Seti) in the US claim to have conversed with a humpback whale in Alaska as a proxy for communicating with aliens.

They found that while most of the whales ignored the recorded calls, one of them – a female named Twain – circled the scientists’ boat, mimicking the noises for about 20 minutes.

Researchers are not entirely sure what the recorded call meant, but suspect it is a kind of “contact call” that whales use to call each other.

“It might have just been us saying hello, and her responding hello, and us saying hello again,” Dr Walker explained.

“We believe this is the first such communicative exchange between humans and humpback whales in the humpback ‘language,’” study lead author Brenda McCowan said in a statement.

    • Aussiemandeus@aussie.zone
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      7 months ago

      Mine ahwoos and I awhoo back then they ahwoo and it’s food time.

      I’m certain after several years, ahwoo means “I’m excited to see you and for you to feed me”

      • OfCourseNot@fedia.io
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        7 months ago

        My dog and I have some ‘conversations’ of sorts: Me: starts getting ready to go out Dog: up nods [Oi!] Me: up nods back [What?] Dog: up nods again [Are we going for a walk?] Me: down nods [Yes!] Dog: starts sneezing and getting exited [Fuck yeah!] Or: Me: nopes with the head No darling, I’m going to work :'( Dog: gets closer and lays against me [oh no! Pleassseee! Look how cute I am…]

    • Shou@lemmy.world
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      7 months ago

      Just pet a sheep and his tail started wagging. He wanted more scritches behind the ears.