July 3, 2025, 3:34 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
Whales and French Kissing? Yes, this behavior actually exists. Previously, it was only known among captive orcas. Now, it has been documented for the first time in the wild—and underwater: Two killer whales (Orcinus orca) exhibited a notably tender “tongue nibbling.” This observation could fundamentally expand our understanding of the social skills and bonds of these marine mammals.
Kissing is not a behavior exclusive to humans. Apes also press their mouths together to “kiss.” The scientific origins of kissing remain unclear. One theory suggests it evolved from mouth-to-mouth feeding, while others believe it developed from nursing at the breast. French kissing takes it a step further and has only been observed in dolphins–including orcas–but in captivity.
Are “French Kisses” Part of Orcas’ Natural Behavior?
A research team led by Sánchez-Hernández from the University of La Laguna has, for the first time, described a so-called “tongue-nibbling” interaction between two wild orcas in the journal “Oceans,” which could be likened to “French kisses.” This rare behavior was recorded in the Kvænangen Fjords in northern Norway during a snorkeling expedition by citizen scientists. The resulting video footage provides the only evidence so far that this social interaction occurs under natural conditions–and could thus be part of the species’ natural behavioral repertoire.1
Also of interest: Why Orcas Are the Biggest “Mama’s Boys” in the Animal Kingdom
Behavior First Mentioned in 1978
Observing social behavior in whales presents researchers with unique challenges. Since many interactions occur underwater, research is increasingly shifting below the surface. Studies with dolphins and captive whales have already revealed complex behavior patterns such as synchronized swimming or mutual body stroking.
A particularly striking example is the so-called “tongue-nibbling”–the gentle nibbling on a peer’s extended tongue. This interaction was first mentioned in 1978 and documented in detail in a dolphinarium in 2013. It was previously considered a behavior potentially triggered by captivity. With the recent observation in the wild, this perception might change.
None of the Experts Surveyed Had Directly Observed Such Behavior in the Wild
On January 11, 2024, citizen scientists observed and filmed an unusual interaction between two wild orcas in the Kvænangen Fjords in northern Norway. The animals approached each other head-on, maintained face-to-face contact for nearly two minutes, and engaged in three separate phases of gentle mouth-to-mouth interaction. The scene was filmed with an underwater camera from a distance of about 10 to 15 meters.
The analysis of the footage revealed a strong similarity to the already known “tongue-nibbling” described in dolphinariums. This interpretation was supported by comparisons with previous recordings from zoological facilities and interviews with experienced divers and animal caretakers. None of the experts surveyed had directly observed such behavior in the wild before–highlighting the uniqueness of this documentation.
The observations of “French kisses” among orcas were conducted under controlled and animal welfare-compliant conditions. The snorkeling group remained passive in the water to avoid disturbing the animals or influencing their behavior.
Tongue-Nibbling Could Be Part of an Innate Social Repertoire
The video recording from Tverrfjorden documents the so-called “tongue-nibbling” behavior between two wild orcas for the first time, lasting a total of one minute and 49 seconds. The authors compared the footage with a 2013 video from Loro Parque (Spain), where the behavior was repeatedly documented in four orcas under human care.
The interaction closely matched the already known behavior patterns from dolphinariums, where one animal shows its tongue and the other gently nibbles on it. This supports the interpretation as social behavior. Statements from animal caretakers also confirm that the behavior has been observed there over several years in animals of different origins–including one from Norway.
The significance of the new observation lies in the fact that it is now proven that the behavior is not confined to captivity but also occurs in the wild. Thus, it may be part of an innate social repertoire.
“French Kisses” Among Orcas Could Serve to Strengthen Social Bonds
The study provides compelling evidence that “French kisses” or “tongue-nibbling” is a natural, socially motivated behavior in orcas–and not merely a reaction to captivity, stress, or boredom. The similarity of the behavior sequence between wild and captive animals suggests a so-called conserved social function. The behavior thus has a stable meaning within the species over generations.
This behavior could serve to strengthen social bonds–especially among younger animals not yet involved in reproduction or rank battles. Similar interactions have also been observed in belugas. This supports the assumption that oral-tactile behaviors play a significant role in social development within the toothed whale family (Odontoceti).
Moreover, this observation supports the ethological significance of animals in human care: Rare behavior patterns can be documented and analyzed under controlled conditions, allowing conclusions about the species’ natural behavior. The new study thus reinforces the scientific relevance of zoological facilities, without neglecting their contextual differences from the wild.
Study’s Significance Limited
The study represents a single case observation and is therefore limited in its significance. The interpretation is largely based on visual parallels to known cases in human care, with the video quality not allowing for a detailed analysis of tongue movements. Nevertheless, the duration and structure of the interaction are sufficient to make the interpretation as social behavior plausible.
There is no potential conflict of interest, but the authors emphasize the need to strictly regulate animal-based tourism activities. While citizen science can provide valuable data, too frequent or uncontrolled contact with wildlife poses risks: behavioral changes, stress, and disruptions to social structures are documented side effects of such encounters.
The methodological strength of the study lies in the integration of underwater observations and comparative material from controlled conditions. However, it remains unclear how widespread the behavior actually is in wild populations–and under what social conditions it is preferably shown. Future studies should utilize systematic underwater observations to gather more data.
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Conclusion: “French Kisses” Seem to Strengthen Social Bonds in Orcas
With the first documentation of “tongue-nibbling” in wild orcas, the study provides important insights for the behavioral research of marine mammals. The behavior appears to have a social bonding effect and is evidently stable across generations and geographic populations. The observation proves that underwater interactions, hidden from view, can be central components of social life. It also shows how valuable underwater ethology and responsibly conducted citizen science can be–provided they are ethically justifiable and methodologically sound.