Herring Break Wind To Communicate

In polite society, flatulence is often a social faux pas - especially when issued deliberately. But in the world of fish, group 'raspberry-blowing' sessions appear to perform an important social role.

This intriguing idea comes from scientists who discovered that herring create a mysterious underwater noise by farting. Researchers suspect herring hear the bubbles as they're expelled, helping the fish form protective shoals at night. It's the first ever study to suggest fish communicate by breaking wind.