# Whale behavior research findings > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/whale-behavior-research-findings > Updated: 2026-08-07T04:08:00.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2. In late July 2026, a series of studies by researchers in the United Kingdom, Switzerland and other partners reported three distinct discoveries across whale species. Tags on sperm whales off Norway showed that the animals release gas bubbles to counteract their natural buoyancy, allowing them to rest vertically just below the surface. Separate work on humpback whales documented the creation and spread of evolving song patterns during migrations, a cultural transmission comparable to human music trends. A third investigation of southern right whales measured extreme energy expenditure during their annual migration, finding individuals lose roughly 36 % of body fat, equivalent to tens of thousands of kilograms of krill. A week later, a focused paper detailed the sperm‑whale bubble‑release mechanism. Suction‑cup tags recorded sound and three‑dimensional movement, revealing that during short 10–15‑minute resting bouts whales emit bubbles about eleven times more often than during ascent, maintaining a vertical posture that protects them from surface waves while keeping quick access to air. The study reinforced the earlier finding and highlighted how advanced tagging can uncover hidden underwater behaviors. Together, the research expands understanding of whale physiology, communication and the energetic costs of migration. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-07: Sperm whales use bubble releases to stay submerged while resting Sperm whales resting near Norway's surface release bubbles to offset buoyancy, a behavior uncovered by tags from researchers at St Andrews and Neuchâtel. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sperm-whales-use-bubble-releases-to-stay-submerged-while-resting ### 2026-07-24: New Whale Studies Reveal Bubble‑Regulated Sleep, Cultural Songs, and Massive Fat Loss During Migration New research shows sperm whales use bubble release for vertical sleep, humpback whales transmit evolving songs across oceans, and southern right whales lose up to 36% of body fat during migration. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/whales-bubble-buoyancy-tricks-and-migration-fat-loss-uncovered-in-recent-studies --- Cite as: Whale behavior research findings. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/whale-behavior-research-findings