By Surbhi Kaul
For the first time ever, scientists have documented wild orcas engaging in “tongue-nibbling” — a rare and intimate social behaviour likened to “making out” or ”French kissing.” A video capturing the moment is currently making waves across social media, leaving viewers stunned. This rare interaction is detailed in a new study published in the Oceans journal on June 11. Before this study — which features images of two young wild killer whales “tongue-nibbling” in the waters off Norway — such behaviour had only been seen in a few captive orcas. Described in the study as a “socially affiliative behavior,” “tongue-nibbling” is believed to help reinforce “social bonds,” particularly among younger orcas. Study co-author Javier Almunia told Live Science the behavior is “exceptionally rare.” “Orca caretakers at several facilities are aware of the behaviour, but its prevalence is extremely low — it may appear and then not be observed again for several years,” he explained to the outlet. The encounter was witnessed by snorkelers, who saw two killer whales “engaging in a prolonged mouth-to-mouth interaction” that lasted close to two minutes. The orcas were observed to have “approached one another and maintained contact between the anterior portions of their heads” throughout the interaction. “At that time, some observers on board remarked that the animals appeared to be ‘kissing’ beneath the boat—a description identical to that provided independently by the guests who recorded the event in Tverrfjorden,” the study noted. Photographs shared in the study show one orca opening its mouth while the other encloses its mouth around the first one’s tongue. As described by researchers, “one individual protruded its tongue while the other made gentle nibbling movements.” After capturing the behaviour, scientists reached out to three professional divers and underwater videographers with significant experience observing killer whales. All three confirmed they had never witnessed “tongue-nibbling” before. Additionally, senior marine mammal trainers at Loro Parque shared that they had seen this behaviour exhibited by “four individuals housed at the facility,” but noted they hadn’t seen it “in subsequent years,” as outlined in the study.