Sub-adult humpbacks have been recorded off the Gold Coast performing courtship behaviours usually seen among older generations.
While none of the whales got lucky, researchers from Griffith University said the romantic gestures provided valuable insights into the whales' emotional intelligence and how such behaviours could change from generation to generation.
Coastal and Marine Research Centre research fellow Olaf Meynecke said the whales were moving very slowly so he could tell it was about "being close to each other but being sensitive about it"."So there is an aspect of cultural transmission of understanding their environment and each other through a process over time.
"It helps them build up bonds between other individuals, so they get to know each other, and they will see each other over coming years."It's creating an reaction from another whale, a positive one.""So when we are then extrapolating impacts of climate change or shifts in environmental factors, we need to remember that these animals are constantly learning," he said.
"[The dolphins] like to be seen, in eyesight of the whale, and then just keep coming back," Dr Meyncke said.
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