Whale Bubble Rings

Beluga whales at a Hamada City, Japan, aquarium are shown blowing bubbles in a video that became popular on the Internet in July 2008. The whales interact with a scuba diver to get the necessary air, then blow bubbles much like a person might blow a smoke ring. The whales in the video also play with a ball, roll over on command and wave at onlookers.

Ocean whales sometimes inhale air through their blowholes to make bubble rings. The keepers of Aliya, the first Hamada City whale to learn the trick, noticed that she would often blow water while playing. They decided to see what she would do if they used scuba diving equipment to put air in her mouth.

• Underwater Times.com: Beluga Whale 'Aliya' Learns to Blow Bubble... (February 26, 2006)

• Metacafe Video: Whales Blowing Bubble Rings (Time: 1:19)

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