Whale Song and Conversation Decoded
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Known to be some of the brightest and most intelligent of mammals, whales and dolphins have brains the same size or larger than humans. Some marine biologists suspect whales and other Cetaceans could be as intelligent as humans, and have unknown communicative abilities that man does not currently comprehend.
Photo Daily Telegraph
Dolphins and whales have communicative skills amongst themselves and are one of the few animals known to mate for pleasure rather than strictly reproduction. They form strong bonds with each other and stand by their injured and sick. Dolphins have frequently displayed protective behavior towards humans, keeping them safe from sharks.
Australian scientists from the University of Queensland are currently analyzing humpback whales sounds to reveal a secret and ancient language of the deep sea, claiming they’ve begun to decode the whale’s mysterious communication system, identifying male “pick-up lines” and maternal warnings. Whale song is said to be perceptible to other whales halfway across the planet.
While working on the Humpback Whale Acoustic Research Collaboration (HARC) project over a 3 year period, the scientists discovered at least 34 different types of whale calls. Some last less than one second while others stretched more than 10 seconds, which can be linked to specific, different social settings.
“I was expecting to find maybe 10 different social vocalizations, but in actual fact found 34. It’s just such a wide, varied repertoire.” researcher Rebecca Dunlop of University of Queensland told Reuters.
“I’ve found that they have this massive repertoire.” she said. “I think their communication system is a lot more complicated than we gave them credit for.”
Photo Daily Galaxy
The researchers studied migrating east humpback whales travelling Australia’s east coast. Thousands of hours of humpback whale sounds have recorded 660 sounds from 61 different groups.
From high-pitched squeaks, shrieks and cries to purrs, groans and low yaps, some noises represent aggression and competition, others affection and concern.
Dunlop says that some of the sounds recorded could have multiple meanings depending on how they’re grouped, but some appeared to have one clear meaning, such as the ‘purr’ sound from males used as a mating sound.
Other higher-frequency signals are used when males are competing for the affections of a female. “These high-frequency cries and screams (are also heard) when they’re having a bit of a row.” she said.
Blows are likely used as an aggressive signal, often heard in competitive groups where there are numerous males with 1 female. The males are probably jostling to be the primary escort for the female, and can become quite aggressive towards one another.
Photo Daily Telegraph
While only humpback males are known to perform the famous ‘whale song’, the social sounds are made by all humpbacks — males, females and calves.
“The lower the sound, the bigger you are.” said Dr. Dunlop.
“The wop was probably one of the most common sounds I heard, probably signifying a mum calf contact call,” said Dunlop. Perhaps something like, “Junior, Junior! Get over here now!” Dunlop says there are clear similarities with human interaction.
“Its quite fascinating that they’re obviously marine mammals, they’ve been separated from terrestrial mammals for a long, long, long time, but yet still seem to be following the same basic communication system.” she said.
The sounds are recorded using an antenna attached to a buoy about 1 kilometer (1.6 miles) offshore.
The scientists hope further research will reveal more of their mysterious ‘language’ and what effects boats and man-induced sonar are having on migrating whales.
Humpback Whale Sounds
Humpback whale sounds – squeals, grunts, whistles and songs.
Minke Whales
No whale sounds, but a delightful clip of Minke whales.
Sources: Daily Galaxy and Daily Telegraph
Save Our Whales – Sea Shepherd
Rare River Baiji Dolphin Now Extinct
New Hope for Baiji Dolphin Reported Extinct
Pink Dolphins near Extinction
That is awesome! I especially think it is interesting that dolphins/whales mate for pleasure. I remember hearing that before. They are incredible animals, both whales and dolphins, really.
The sounds are amazing aren’t they…..also very reminiscent of my ex and her mother trying to converse, but I’m not sure if it was through their mouth or butt!!
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Enjoy and have a great week TTFN
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Thats pretty cool. I’d love to take my son out to the ocean and watch the whales. He’d love to see that.
I love dolphins. They belong to my favorite animal – also in a sense of power animals. Thank you for sharing this
Aloha
Sandra
I think mating for pleasure is certainly one of dolphins and whale’s very remarkable traits, Laura.
It truly is incredible to listen to the Colin. But I’m not touching the MIL comment
Wow, thanks so much Colin, I’m honored! You have a great week as well 
It would be a wonderful experience for him Dallas!
Thanks Sandra, they’re one of my favorite mammals as well
After hearing that whales mate for pleasure, I now know my answer to “if you could be an animal what would you be?”; That is umbelievable that on whales ‘call’ could reach another half way around the world.
I was surprised by the finding that they can hear one another’s call half-way around the world myself Gorilla. Truly amazing.
Beautiful. I understand now why some poeple cry when they hear them singing.
It can give a person shivers listening to their beauty VPX
I heard somewhere that there is a species of Whale that has a more complex language than humans. So if aliens came down to talk with the animals with the most intelligent languages, they wouldn’t be speaking with us
Very beautiful, and sounds…they are really amazing
There’s no doubt in my mind that mammals such as whales and elephants use intricate communication. I don’t understand some scientists and philosophers who say that humans are the only species to have semantic language.
I think the aliens would talk to us, because we know how to do fractions and whales don’t. And there’s no doubt in my mind that aliens like fractions, and whales are more interested in semantic intricacies (which most aliens don’t care for much).
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