Sperm Whale Attempts To Communicate With Robotic Spy Whale!

Robotic Spy Whale makes first contact with a mother and calf. What must she be thinking?
Clip taken from episode 1 "Deep Thinkers" of our series Spy In The Ocean.
Go deep beneath the waves - on a spy mission to the depths of the ocean. Amazing hidden cameras give incredible perspectives on the ingenious creatures that call it home.
Spy in the Ocean is available on iPlayer in the UK. You can watch it now in the UK on BBCiPlayer:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...
and on PBS in the US:
www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episo...
In the first episode of the latest “Spy” series, a new generation of Spy Creatures search the ocean for intelligent life and find ways of thinking that must be seen to be believed. The most complex Spy Creature ever built films the owner of the largest brains on the planet - sperm whales. Spy Whale is the same size as a newborn whale calf and is equipped with an array of cameras. It even has a hydrophone to capture their calls. In a magical close encounter, Spy Whale is greeted by an inquisitive female who, in astonishing scenes, attempts to communicate. In a touching sign of acceptance, she even introduces her calf to Spy Whale. Getting to know the greatest mind in the invertebrate world requires a very different Spy - one that’s a dead ringer for the coconut octopus it’s designed to meet. Its subject not only has a central brain it also has a brain in each of its arms. Using its combined brainpower, it works out how best to steal a coconut shell carried by our Spy. Its plan is to use the shell as a door to its hideaway to protect itself from predatory sharks. In another act of ingenuity, it improvises a shield and throws missiles at a rival octopus. It also shows a softer and more emotional side when it gives Spy Coconut Octopus a friendly and lingering embrace. In Thailand, Spy Macaque joins ocean-diving macaques as they forage underwater for seafood. Our Spy captures a filming first as the macaques catch fish with their bare hands. To break open oysters, they also use stone tools including our very own Spy Rock. In Japan, Spy Puffer becomes an artist’s assistant to a male Japanese puffer fish as he crafts exquisite sand sculptures in a quest to woo a mate. When he runs out of the shells to use as decoration, Spy Puffer comes to the rescue, finding shells for the male to complete his masterpiece, enough to impress the most demanding art critic of all - his mate. Intelligence gathers pace when Spy Sea Lion meets the world’s fastest fish and the sea lions that hunt them. Marlin use teamwork to drive mackerel shoals to the surface only for them to be stolen by quick-thinking sea lions. When Spy Sea Lion takes us on a rollercoaster ride inside the shoal, its camera eyes show how the shoal’s swarm intelligence is pitched against that of the clever sea lions. It also discovers some extraordinary new behaviour as the sea lion gift some of their catch to the marlin. On a Caribbean beach, another Spy meets the crab world’s most entertaining characters - hermit crabs. They may be comical in nature, but they also have highly developed organisational skills. When they’ve outgrown their shells, they line up in order of size to exchange them for a better fit. All is going well until Spy Hermit Crab loses its shell to a crab looking to upsize its accommodation. The crab becomes the unwitting camera operator as it captures a crabs-eye view of the organised chaos. On another Caribbean Island, a colony of wild pigs embrace beach life by taking a daily dip in the sea. Spy Pig joins their daily ritual as they forage for food brought in by visiting boats. As their ingenuity draws the crowds Spy Pig gets caught up in the resulting feeding frenzy. Back on the reefs, Spy Coconut Octopus donates its shell to a family of enterprising clownfish. In an astonishing show of teamwork, the fish work together to move the shell back to their anemone, creating a safe place to lay their eggs among the poisonous tentacles. In this action-packed first episode, our Spies discover sea creatures with many mind-boggling ways of thinking, but none match those with the biggest brains of all - sperm whales. In more astonishing scenes, Spy Sperm Whale witnesses a rare and beautiful gathering as whale families from far and wide huddle together and exchange information - an extraordinary display of social intelligence uncannily similar to our own.
Narrated by David Tennant
Music by Will Gregory
Directed by John Downer
#Whale #Mauritius #DavidTennant

[@peternagy6847]

"Sweetie, come meet the neighbour's kid. They're a little quiet but I'm sure you'll like each other"

[@Plucky478]

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[@Plucky478]

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[@Plucky478]

Y

[@Plucky478]

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[@Russia-bullies]

😊

[@Eagle-Striker]

They are highly intelligent thus the mother whale must have been concerned seeing a baby whale all on its own without family. Very gentle and caring giants.

[@jmcg9822]

The worry about the lost odd calf might be with her all her life.

[@Eagle-Striker]

​@@jmcg9822 And most likely thinking the baby has terrible parents for abandoning it in the middle of the ocean. She probably was offering it to join her Pod.

[@TristanLNeal]

Imagine finding an orphan out on the street but you look closer and it's actually just an android full of cameras

[@alizaidanthamyeez740]

This is easily the last spy creature I was expecting to see

[@DrPhil-rg1zu]

Ik right 😂 they can pull off anything

[@curiousnerdkitteh]

Not very discreet for a spy. They kinda stand out in a crowd. 😂

[@heatherkaye8653]

Thst momma didn't like the wee babe being alone! I have a feeling she quickly realized it wasn't real. Whales are such gentle giants! I love how the largest animals on our planet are some of the most maternal.🥰

[@WiseOwl_1408]

Hard to know what she thought or felt about it. Definitely a smart creature

[@marcopohl4875]

Whales are extremely intelligent and their echolocation allows them to see the inside of other animals bodies like an X-ray. If I had to guess, the conversation probably went a bit like this: "Hi little one, I'm Becky, where are your pare- that's weird. Hey Billy, you gotta see this! *Stare*

[@heatherkaye8653]

@@marcopohl4875 😂

[@Dartania]

Amazing footage. A little sad thinking what the mother whale must think of the spy whale, but overall very interesting!

[@I_Kan]

I agree it's both sad for tricking her and the real calf but fascinating to see them interacting in a way never filmed before.

[@coco6656]

womp womp its not that deep

[@Dartania]

@@coco6656 womp womp, it gets very deep. One of the deepest diving cetaceans, in fact.

[@kaijulord54]

The female is likely concerned seeing a “calf” on it’s own without a mother.

[@kitsuneWC]

​@@coco6656womp womp it is deep

[@jordy786]

Absolutely amazing! You guys are the best. Love the spy creatures!

[@JohnDownerProd]

Thanks so much!

[@doriangrey9702]

How incredible. These amazing creatures, so intelligent. The mother came to check out the baby spy. Amazing

[@zakaryloreto6526]

All whales are very majestic and intelligence, I am so happy we share a planet with such creatures.

[@HappyHands.]

What sad times we live in when animals have more instinctive compassion than many of us "Higher" humans

[@Splarkszter]

Yeah. Selfishness is something on people's culture that must be erradicated. Humans are animals, and anyone that thinks otherwise is the problem of society. Widely available accesible education is the only way to make the world a better place.

[@HappyHands.]

Greed is another thing that seems to be unique to humans in fact the pollution of the planet can be directly connected to greed. @@Splarkszter

[@luisaugusto3991]

​@@Splarkszter Selfishness and conservative ideas are the true problem of the humanity.

[@GazpaNova]

You have re-sparked my curiosity and bewilderment for nature. Thank you so much

[@JohnDownerProd]

That's so lovely to hear. Thank you!

[@curiousnerdkitteh]

Check out Ants Canada. Their rainforest vivarium and great quality videos about it really sparked mine!

[@acethefiredragon8525]

"Hmm, that baby is moving hella sus" is what i think the momma is thinking.

[@AeromatterWorkshop]

Seeing behind the scenes one day would be amazing, can't imagine how much skill goes into the process creating these spy bots!

[@jeannetteparry5587]

Amazing! I wonder if the mother realised the spy baby whale was not actually a whale - surely their sonar can recognise a difference. Could imagine the mother saying to the youngster, Look, Dear, a dolly to play with!

[@curiousnerdkitteh]

Whales pass down knowledge like hunting strategies. This was probably a teachable moment.

[@TheSunnydeni]

I can't help but wonder, does the female feel sad when the "stranger" calf doesn't communicate back? What does she think about that? Do they give up quickly, or do they keep trying to interact...? What I wouldn't give, to meet these whales myself. Absolutely magnificent lifeforms ❤️

[@MarcelitoRecords]

"Who's baby is this ?"

[@PinayBeautyandStyle]

Mama whale asking: what is your name? Who are your parents? Do they know you are alone? What is your address?

[@fabysunset9220]

Seres de luz llenos de vida, amabilidad y amor, tan pacíficos.

[@1beachwalker]

That was the coolest thing ever! I've always been fascinated by whales - this showed us how unique they really are! Thank you for doing what you do with those robots! So real looking and acting- even the actual whales want to get to know him! Well done! Like the narrator too - cool accent! 🤩

[@GAAAAHHH-]

Totally in love with this channel, my favorite. Keep doing the good work!🙂

[@user-xp8nq5mf9y]

Animals are currently living the fallout 4 experience.

[@EagleFangBasketball22]

I love this Spy Whale! So cute! 🥰

[@FEG_Studio]

Absolutely amazing! You guys are the best. Love the spy creatures! Copied

[@holycanoli3615]

That was incredible! Thanks for sharing it.

[@JohnDownerProd]

Our pleasure!

[@user-ou9qd9no5n]

​@@JohnDownerProd3:04 what is blue hole?

[@killgriffinnow]

Goddamn Synths, infiltrating the ocean now. Thanks a lot, Institute!

[@popcornpizza8869]

Absolutely stunning

[@JohnDownerProd]

Thank you so much!

[@Vicky-zf4tr]

So beautiful it's making me feel emotional

[@Doctor-Cynthia]

Amazing footage! I love all these videos, so creative!🥰

[@JohnDownerProd]

Thank you so much!!

[@Gruffyruff2195]

Lets hope the military doesn't see this!!! A slow moving torpedo!!!😂!!! Thanks John for this phenominal video with yet another spectaculr Spy-Robot!!! Loved it!!!❤❤❤

[@JohnDownerProd]

You're most welcome!

[@ConfederateBanshee]

These videos are so unique and creative. Your channel deserves a billion more subs. 😎

[@JohnDownerProd]

We agree! Maybe one day!

[@shaider1982]

I just realized you got David Tennant to narrate!👍 I love his work in Jessica Jones.

[@Katsnacks]

No he was a creep in Jessica Jones! I like him better as DR WHO

[@lorij3786]

@John Downer Productions Absolutely amazing.. I wanted to thank you so very much, your channel got me through some of the worst of the pain with my knee replacements over the last 5 years. Although I still feel the weather changes in my newest knee, it is bare able and I am healed

[@JohnDownerProd]

Thanks so much for your message and kind words. We're so glad that our videos helped you get through some of the pain. Take care!

[@BullShitThat]

When I first came across this channel, I never thought they would make it to Spy Whale!

[@PuertoRicanRattlesnake]

imagine walking with your family and a dude T-posing with no walk cycle starts tailing you

[@BigBass-xf5yi]

Third “spur videos” amaze me. I can watch them for hours.. well done

[@user-ye3sx8ev4e]

Thanks!

[@data66666]

this made me cry

[@varunshrivastava2706]

I am mesmerised!!!

[@d4ro]

Wow what a success, love the shots of the whale mother approaching spy

[@JohnDownerProd]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@roxannesmith9219]

She sent the younger whale to go play with spy whale & "get outta her hair for awhile" 😂😂 Single parenting can be exhausting & sometimes mom's just need a break😂😂

[@2DEKAY]

Wow this is a surreal vibe

[@Charly_Emi]

Amazing!

[@JohnDownerProd]

Thanks!

[@user-fy5by5xp7n]

They need to play this video daily in every house in the hood!!!

[@Janggut40]

Beautiful video

[@JohnDownerProd]

Thank you

[@steveninaz9576]

That is incredible

[@zetrix6277]

They can make a 3D view of their surrounding with the sound they make. That female whale could've seen the internals of you spy. It's clear that she immediately figured that something's wrong with that calf & definitely figured that it's not a real whale. But it was a great capture.

[@natjonestower3035]

Whales aren't that stupid. And that's not communication, it's more like asking a question using sound, and getting the direct answer.

[@PRIME.TheStrongest]

a-m-a-z-i-n-g.

[@Sky_flying2024]

Whales are such majestic and intelligent beings. 🐋 Hopefully AI can help us decipher their languages one day!

[@killgriffinnow]

No, AI is dogshit. It would probably translate everything as “my hovercraft is full of eels”.

[@lionzzz]

​@@killgriffinnow😂😂😂

[@FarmerFpv]

How do you know they are intelligent beings? Have you had a conversation with one? Why are they stuck in the ocean if they are so intelligent? Would you think they would build an off-road swimming pool and drive it around downtown if they were so intelligent? We have been able to go underwater and drive around. OceanGate is an example. Whales have never built a landgate?

[@heatherkaye8653]

​@@FarmerFpvMy guess to why they're "stuck" in the ocean is because they don't have legs and they're doing quite fine in the ocean. It's easier to be that size and buoyant in water too.

[@InukedAlazharyearsago]

you would be stuck in the ocean too if you weighted 30 ton kilograms and had palettes instead of fingers@@FarmerFpv

[@dj.shawarman]

Amazing 👍🏼

[@randomusername3873]

"What a weird kid🤨"

[@theoceanusman]

OMG. It's very big. Amazing

[@V0dka69]

She so cute…she try to communicate 🥹

[@fernandocontreras4515]

What imagination, what talent.

[@puggsandgunsandthings]

I am in awe.......

[@TheRealPynkPanther]

this is amazing❤ i wonder what happened eventually... is there a longer video?

[@JohnDownerProd]

Yes you can see it on the BBC in the UK or PBS in the USA and other stations worldwide. It's from our series called Spy in the Ocean.

[@TheRealPynkPanther]

@@JohnDownerProd thank you!♥️♥️♥️

[@fenzirulfr]

His friends will never believe him!

[@emilyw842]

So cool.

[@sacriptex5870]

amazing

[@JohnDownerProd]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ragoonsgg589]

Oy i can't help but think that somewhere out there our alien overlords are doing the same to some poor mother 😂😂

[@snowysmile9082]

I wonder if they're getting uncanny valley vibes from the fake whale shortly after

[@lkgrave4959]

Another species that I'm glad we didn't drive to extinction.

[@Id-let-the-world-burn]

"she clicks to meet the other whales" 2:00 *also her*🏍️🏍️🏍️🏍️🏍️🏍️

[@enricotoesca3941]

Wonderful ❤❤❤❤

[@JohnDownerProd]

Thanks 🤗

[@enricotoesca3941]

@@JohnDownerProd Have a nice day 🤩

[@1.4142]

Spy whale needs to learn the lingo! Mother must have thought it was floating dead.

[@I_Kan]

Awwwwww 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@armwrestlingfan6804]

They actually did it

[@cowgf1504]

This must have been so trippy for the whales.

[@zedchillman2685]

Like most of the more intelligent creatures I bet this whale knows its not a whale but is confused why it looks like whale

[@BallsInyourwalls]

New favourite nature channel on youtube🐋

[@Unown_Arceus]

Can you make a robot BigFoot👣 to show us this elusive beings daily life and social structures

[@unlimitedbeno6276]

When you can't tell which one the spy

[@JatinBhuyan]

How many days did it took to build that giant whale? 😮

[@alexaaa12]

2-3 days I guess

[@JohnDownerProd]

Haha! I wish. No this took a couple of years to build!

[@notyourtype...7379]

Budget?👀

[@shaider1982]

@@JohnDownerProd Man, that actually sounds fast considering how realistic looking this is.

[@AA-cm3pd]

Incredible @@JohnDownerProd

[@MasterYota1]

John , you might be onto something here. I assume the big whale is using the most basic of sound Comunications because maybe she is talking to the baby whale the same way we humans talk to our babies? If so we might be able to break their dialects more easily?

[@FLASHkor]

Metal Orca - Simcity 4

[@WiseOwl_1408]

Wow

[@CaptainKaveman79]

Wow😲

[@ThanhMyVlog]

wow

[@daveharringbone8512]

An automated drone to watch earth

[@user-je7ot6ju9r]

How long till they start smuggling coke in these? You know, a yacht followed by a dozen whales.

[@JohnnySilverFinger]

do a spy human next

[@JD-kf2ki]

He can’t click 😅

[@pepercat17]

Not sure if those bubbles 🫧 from the camera is a good thing haha

[@zevan6147]

Greg 😅

[@tinto278]

Don't send a fake whale to mess with the whales, you might start an intergalactic war. These animals are not stupid.

[@jerimoody8207]

Their lower jaws are ridiculously narrow.

[@Anna101shark]

I kind of feel sorry for them. That poor mother whale might be worried that there is a random baby thats not clicking back and is barely moving. Anyway fantastic footage.

[@jiggyv6139]

What’s the name of this song?

[@skeveharvey]

NAHHHHH i TOLD YALL there were ROBOT WHALES

[@gawni1612]

Submechanophobia kicks in hard.

[@cyberpunk_2077_]

😊

[@John-wf5dm]

If only humans already had finished the work on making chat gpt to communicate to whales then it would be more interesting

[@dexdrose]

i cant tell if the "spy creatures" are cgi or not

[@user-qw9et5dw8d]

Чёрт. Даже киты пластика не видят. А ведь большая часть роботов далека от совершенства с точки зрения людского глаза.

[@kheankimhong]

❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊

[@FarmerFpv]

Is this AI, or is it really a robot Sperm Whale? Also, I didn't know you can hear whales fart underwater. It sounds like a dry machine gun fart. So strange.

[@odalysmartinez7479]

🤗❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@enricotoesca3941]

Hello John 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@JohnDownerProd]

Hello! Hope you liked the video.

[@enricotoesca3941]

@@JohnDownerProd Hello too John Downer . So mucho 🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@HandsONreviews4u]

God's Creation is so BEAUTIFUL

[@bonbon48637]

I hope there are Korean subtitles😢😢