A whale song is the creation of a predictable pattern of sounds by large baleen whales such as the humpback whale and blue whale (the blue whale is the largest animal in the world), in which these patterns resemble song notes.
Those who have observed these songs have noted their eerie and haunting melodies, and musical composers have been awe struck by the beautiful melodies created by these majestic marine mammals.
Both the humpback whale and the blue whale are known to produce these whale songs; however, among the humpback population, these songs are only seen in males (not females) and only during mating season, implying that these songs may play an important role in the whales’ mating rituals.
Certain species may hear similar songs during feeding periods or when a whale laments being lonely or the loss of a loved one, but these are not the same songs heard during mating periods.
Purpose of whale song
While the complex and haunting sounds of the Humpback Whale (and some Blue Whales) are thought to be used primarily in sexual selection, other whales’ simpler sounds are used all year. While toothed dolphins (including the Orca) can use echolocation (the emission of ultrasonic beams of sound waves) to detect the size and nature of objects very precisely, baleen whales do not.
Furthermore, unlike some fish, such as sharks, whales have a limited sense of smell. Given the poor visibility of aquatic environments and the fact that sound travels so well in water, human-audible sounds aid in the navigation of such whales. The presence of a large obstruction ahead, for example, may be detected by loud noises made by baleen whales.
How can humans hear whales sing?
Did you know you can hear humpback whale songs in real time without getting wet? Sea World Cruises employs an underwater microphone known as a hydrophone. A hydrophone detects sound signals when submerged in water, much like a standard microphone that collects sound in the air.
Sea World Cruises uses hydrophones during whale watching tours, which are broadcast over a loudspeaker so that guests can hear the spectacular whale vocals.
Where are Sounds Produced?
The larynx was thought to be the site of sound production in cetaceans, but research on live, phonating dolphins revealed that the larynx does not move during vocalizations. Instead, structures in the nasal system, such as the nasal plug and the intricate nasal sac system, move when sound is produced, though the exact location of sound generation is still debated.
Why do some people find whale songs to be relaxing?
Whale music is said to soothe crying babies, calm women during childbirth, and help people fall asleep. According to Ian Samuels, the director of a lifestyle CD company, when people listen to whale music, their breathing subconsciously slows to match the whale notes.
According to Samuels, “the whale’s moan is long, slow, has a range of pitches, and is repeated in patterns.” These characteristics make it ideal for unwinding. And it is associated with the serenity of the sea.’
