Here's what we know about humpback whale social behavior:
* They live in groups called pods: These pods can range in size from a few individuals to dozens.
* They communicate with complex songs: These songs are used for attracting mates, navigating, and even communicating with other pods.
* They cooperate in hunting: Humpbacks have been known to work together to herd fish into a tight ball, making them easier to catch.
* They care for their young: Mothers stay with their calves for up to a year, teaching them important skills like finding food and avoiding predators.
While we don't know if humpbacks experience emotions like humans do, their social behavior suggests a strong sense of community and cooperation.
It's important to note that humpbacks can interact with other whale species too, and their relationships with them can be complex. For instance, they might compete for resources, or they might even cooperate in some situations.
So, to answer your question, while humpback whales aren't necessarily "friends" in the human sense, they are certainly social creatures that interact with other whales in a variety of ways.