Whales make sounds underwater. These sounds are called singing. Whales do not have vocal cords like people. They move air inside their bodies. Special folds in their throats vibrate. This creates low, loud sounds. The sounds travel very far in the ocean. Other whales can hear them. Whales sing to talk and find friends. Humpback whales sing the most. Their songs can last for 20 minutes.
📖 Level 2 – Intermediate
Whales are famous for singing long, complex songs underwater. Unlike humans, whales do not have vocal cords. Instead, they have special folded tissue in their throat. As they move air through a large chamber in their bodies, these tissues vibrate and produce sound. The sound then bounces through fat-filled cavities in their skulls, which helps project it into the water. Whale songs can travel hundreds of kilometers across the ocean. Male humpback whales are the most well-known singers. They often sing for more than 20 minutes at a time and repeat the same song for hours. Scientists believe whales sing to communicate, attract mates, or navigate the dark ocean.
📖 Level 3 – Advanced
Unlike terrestrial animals that rely on vocal cords, baleen whales produce their haunting underwater songs using a specialized U-shaped structure in their larynx. This unique organ, equipped with long, vibrating folds, allows them to push air through a large internal cavity, generating low-frequency sounds that can travel up to thousands of kilometers across ocean basins. The sound is further amplified by fat-filled sinuses in the skull, which act as acoustic lenses. Male humpback whales are the most celebrated composers, crafting elaborate songs that evolve gradually over time—like cultural trends—and can last over 20 minutes. Scientists hypothesize that these vocalizations serve multiple purposes: long-range communication, mating displays, and possibly echolocation in dark, deep waters. Remarkably, whale songs vary between different populations, suggesting a form of cultural learning unique among marine mammals.
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