Whale Songs

The majority of marine mammal scientists agree that sound plays an important role in the development and well-being of all cetaceans. Whales are acoustically oriented and rely heavily on reflected sound, rather than light, to navigate.

Male humpback whales, in particular, are well-known for their long and complex songs, which are composed of several elements. These songs can last for hours, are specific to different populations, and can be heard hundreds of kilometres away.

Research into whale songs

Researchers use hydrophones to calculate the exact location of whale songs. This method also allows them to find out how far sound can travel through the ocean. Research undertaken by Cornell University showed that whale noise can travel for thousands of kilometres. The information gathered has also helped understand whale migratory paths. Further research is required to understand whether whales that are thousands of kilometres away from each other can communicate, as well as the purpose of the messages.

The threat of noise pollution

Noise pollution is a real threat to whales. It is estimated that the noise coming from shipping vessels has increased significantly over the last 20 years, and this can limit a whale's capacity to navigate and find food or mates. A different type of noise, which is also a concern, is military sonar. Recent evidence suggests that sonar confuses the animals and may be the cause of whale strandings.

Listen to the songs

Listen to some of these intriguing submarine songs:

Blue whale song

 

Humpback whale song

 

Male humpback singing to female and calf