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Whale Songs: Singing For Their Lives

by Biol. Oscar S. Aranda Mena |

Each winter, the returning humpback whales provide us with unforgettable experiences as their gigantic bodies breach the surface. But despite these brief moments for observation, mystery and secrets continue to surround them as they spend their lives underwater. One of the most puzzling secrets is their singing, which has intrigued humans throughout history.

More Than a Simple Song
The singing of whales has gained importance in recent years, a whale song was released into space in 1977 because it was considered one of the most representative sounds on Earth. Yet, it was only in 1971 that a couple of scientists began researching whale songs, discovering that they were the longest and most complex sounds in the animal world other than those made by humans. Neither nightingale nor canary would be able to compete with one of these animals, due to their complexity and the fact that whales do not possess vocal cords, all sounds produced by complex passages of air from their mouth to nasal cavities, without the need to clear their airways as we do.

Marine Serenades?
The current belief is that their songs are related to their search for a mate, since only males are capable of singing and do so only during mating season. It is common to hear them called “love songs,” when in fact they are a declaration of war directed at other males in the area (their possible rivals), marking their territory.

In their adaptation to life in the depths of the sea, whales have developed one of the most sensitive hearing abilities in the animal world, capable of recognizing the whereabouts of other whales thousands of kilometers away. Whales maintain contact through vocalization, which can travel through water four times faster than through the air.

Whales in Peril!
Unfortunately, their ability to transmit sounds also places in a great danger that very few pay attention to. According to the latest research, the future of whales is at risk because of increasing noise in the depths, generated by human activity in the oceans (noise pollution).

Whales use sounds as a compass during their migrations, similar to the method used by dolphins, however at lower frequency levels (which can be transmitted at long ranges). Meanwhile, their senses of sight, touch and smell became secondary. Scientists have discovered that the sounds produced by whales can travel up to 400 kilometers; however, 20 years ago these sounds could be heard up to 1,600 kilometers. This gives us an idea of how contaminated the ocean is, but we are still uncertain about the consequences this will have for whales in the future.
 
Hazards in Our Bay
The whales that visit our bay year after year are faced with an array of dangers and risks, as a result of the appalling regulation of whale watching activities by the authorities. In addition to the direct dangers from the constant traffic of vessels of all shapes and sizes, there are human “spectacles” such as fireworks that hurt the whales’ ears and chase them away.

The fact that whales continue to visit us year after year is not guaranteed. If we continue with our selfish behavior, they may punish us all, depriving us of their marvelous unique performances. Help us maintain their presence here by making sure your whale watching expedition is through an authorized establishment committed to protecting the whales, providing you with a respectful and environmentally responsible whale watching expedition.

*Oscar Aranda is a biologist dedicated to the conservation of our natural resources through environmental conscious and is in charge of the marine turtle protection program in Puerto Vallarta. If you need additional information, visit his Web page at www.vallartanature.org.

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