April 10, 2018
Australian researchers hope the audio
recordings will eventually help them measure the number of sperm whales that
use Antarctic waters
Scientists have recorded thousands of hours
of "clicks" that sperm whales make to forage for food and
communicate, helping them better understand the behaviour of one of the
Southern Ocean's key predators.
Sperm whales, which can measure up to 20 metres (67 feet) long, are listed as
"vulnerable" to extinction.
The Australian researchers hope the audio
recordings will eventually help them measure the number of sperm whales that
use Antarctic waters, which will in turn assist with efforts to manage their
survival.
They recorded whale vocalisations over six
years using custom-designed and built acoustic moorings, and found they had
four types—slow clicks, usual clicks, creaks and codas.
"Slow clicks and codas are thought to be
linked to communication, while usual clicks and creaks are linked with echolocation
and foraging," said Australian Antarctic Division acoustician Brian
Miller, who worked with ecologist Elanor Miller on the project.
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