Humpback Whale Harmonies

PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons/Wanetta Ayers
PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons/Wanetta Ayers

By Kid Reporter MARIAH WILSON, age 13

The southern Indian Ocean is home to different groups of humpback whales and they happen to enjoy singing, just different tunes! A study in the journal Marine Mammal Science suggests that whales in different parts of the ocean have distinct songs that are an important part of their unique cultures. Male whales are usually the singers, serenading females during winter mating season. A humpback’s song may sound just like shrieking to us, but the whales create long melodies using their own rules of grammar and mathematics.

3 thoughts on “Humpback Whale Harmonies”

  1. What a shame that you didn’t see whales up close.The Sea World trip is uluasly really good and very convenient if you are staying in Surfers Paradise or near there. If you go again, may I suggest you try the folks down at Coolangatta Whale Watch, it is a bit of a drive, but they are a family business and they really go out of their way to make the trips special. They have had an awesome season of whale watching this year, and on about 50% of their trips they are seeing dolphin pods too. Now is the time for mothers and calves (baby whales).Sadly for Min (who commented above) April is not a time for whale watching, but there are lots of other things to do and see.CheersAnnie from Gold Coast

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *