Whales Speak in Dialects

A new study shows that some whale species sing in different dialects depending on where they're from. Blue whales off the Pacific Northwest sound different than blue whales in the western Pacific Ocean, and these sound different than those living off Antarctica. And they all sound different than the blue whales living near Chile.

The whales in the eastern Pacific have a very low-pitched pulsed sounds, followed by a tone. Other populations use different combinations of pulses, tones, and pitches. Using newly developed underwater microphones called autonomous hydrophones, scientists recorded the symphony of whale clicks, pulses, and calls throughout the Pacific Ocean.

The hydrophones were developed to listen for earthquakes. But researchers soon realized that they were picking up the sounds of right whales from 25 miles away, and even farther if the water is shallow and the terrain is even. It is not known why whales around the world sound differently, including whether it is tied to genetics or some other reason.

The research is detailed in the January issue of the journal BioScience.