Humpback Whales Speak a Language all Their Own
When you think of a whale jumping out of the water or making noises, which is the first one that comes to mind? Humpback whales have long been known for their majestic aerobatic maneuvers, and their deep singing voices. These whales do in fact, have the largest vocal range of baleen whales and their ‘song’ is being called the most complex of the animal kingdom. Besides the actual make-up of the songs, another interesting part is the evolution of the songs of a whale population over time. So why are these songs so complex and important?
According to a study this year out of MIT, headed by Ryuji Suzuki, due to the varying conditions underwater the humpbacks depend more on sound than any other sense. Sound travels four times faster than it does in air, which makes their communication much more efficient over long distances. Suzuki used the tools of information theory – a mathematical study of data used to analyze the complex patterns of moans, cries, and chirps in the whales’ songs for clues to the information being sent. He designed a computer program that enabled scientists to classify the structure of the whales’ songs and gather better conclusions. Their songs are repetitive and rigid and made up of little ‘units’ like a human’s speech.
Scientists are still unclear on many aspects of humpback’s calls. They are unsure of how the sounds are even produced, since they have a larynx but no vocal chords. It is assumed that since they don’t exhale to produce sounds like a human would either, they recycle the air in the body to make such a sound. They know that it is usually males singing only during the six-month period around breeding grounds, but they aren’t really sure whether the behavior is to flirt with females about reproductive availability or simply a fighting call to warn other males to stay away.
An interesting point however is that the songs, like some species of birds, are very strict to population and change once a year within the same population, but different non-overlapping populations have completely different songs unique to themselves. Much more study is needed to being to understand this complex communication behavior that these whales possess.
Posted by MPC (7)
posted by PWH @ 7:56 PM
9 comments
9 Comments:
Interesting post. You mention that humpbacks have the "largest vocal range of baleen whales", I was just curious if that meant that some toothed whales have larger ranges? I don't even know if they "sing" or not, beyond using echolocation I mean.
Posted by RWS
I think information theory is a novel approach that could yet have more applications in biology. Whales are such massive yet mysterious creatures worthy of further understanding. It's such a shame because I read earlier that as we're just beginning to gain more insight into their mysterious lives, they are increasingly at risk of being wiped out. They communicate over vast distances of thousands of miles to seek mates. With the growth of shipping and commerce, we are creating noise pollution that could interfere and jeopardize their line of communication.
This looks even more grim with countries like Iceland which recently announced that they will continue whaling and other countries like Japan which has continued the practice under the pretense of research. Its increasingly more difficult to see a future for these animals as countries begin to globalize their economies and increase sea traffic.
Posted by Tony
I find it very interesting that whales are still able to produce sounds despite their lack of vocal chords, as in humans. You mentioned in your blog that scientists believe whales recycle air in their bodies to produce such sounds, rather than expelling air like humans do. Your article has made me interested to learn more about this unusual process in the future. Excellent job!
Posted by EJM
Good post. I think the most interesting part was that the whales produce calls without having vocal chords. I also think it's interesting that different populations of whales that don't overlap have completely different songs that are unique to their population.
Posted by ALC (7)
It is really impressive to see how their songs are considered to be “the most complex of the animal kingdom”. In addition, one thing I didn’t know was that whales depend on sound to communicate among themselves. Another interesting fact is that whales change their songs once a year. Really nice article!
Posted by MIS
This is a great and interesting post. I didn't even know that the whales lacked vocal cords, and yet found a way to use sound as a form of communication amongst each other. It makes you wonder how long it took for the whales to devlop this, and then from there jump into how complex the whales brain may be. What is particular interesting is how different populations have their own song, making you wonder if its more towards a nature vs. nurture aspect.
posted by JP21
I enjoyed this article. I was unaware that whales had such developed vocal abilities, and that they were so complex. It is interesting that the whales don't actually have vocal chords. Good job.
Posted by DJF
It is interesting to think about what whales could be communicating about. I wonder what information they are able to pass onto one another and if their complex songs are like language. They must be able to use their song to identify with members of their own population, but why do they change their song once a year? This post is very interesting and informative.
Posted by ALT
Post Update 10/24
Just to try revise the post a little and expand on the questions that have arisen; it is to my knowledge that humpbacks do in fact have the largest vocal range of baleen whales and also toothed whales as well. Toothed whales really aren't known for their singing, just more clicks and beeps used in echolocation for sonar tracking of prey and the landscape. This is because their clicks arent the low frequency units strung together to create song like structure.
Also, it is known how toothed whales produce their sound with phonic lips, a structure in the head, whereas the baleen species is still unknown.
As far as the song changing annually, scientists are not sure of this either. They have found in about 20 years of studying the song evolution, that no same song part or section is ever used again. So the updating of the song truly is evolution and changing for good.
Posted by MPC (7)
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