Sperm whales change ‘vowel’ sounds when boats are nearby, scientists discover
Scientists from Project Ceti have discovered that sperm whales alter their 'coda' click patterns when marine traffic is nearby. This finding suggests that whales may be communicating differently in response to human-made noise, potentially impacting future marine conservation policy.
Why it matters
Understanding how human activity disrupts animal communication is vital for developing effective environmental protections for marine life.
Three sperm whales. In the latest research, in addition to the changing tempo of codas, the team identified differences in the prevalence of two vowel-like sounds in noisy conditions. Photograph: Project Ceti Three sperm whales. In the latest research, in addition to the changing tempo of codas, the team identified differences in the prevalence of two vowel-like sounds in noisy conditions. Photograph: Project Ceti Seascape: the state of our oceans Cetaceans Sperm whales change ‘vowel’ sounds when boats are nearby, scientists discover Researchers listening off the Caribbean island of Dominica found variations in the mammals’ audible clicks when marine traffic was close
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