All articles tagged with #acoustic communication
A 2025 Marine Mammal Science study shows blue whales vocalize at ultra-low frequencies that travel far through seawater, but killer whales hear best at higher frequencies; beyond roughly a kilometer, orcas may largely miss the calls, giving blue whales a private long-range communication channel that could aid predator avoidance and mating, though increasing ocean noise could mask signals.
Researchers from Curtin University in Australia have recorded the rare sounds of echidnas cooing, grunting, and making other vocalizations during the breeding season, providing evidence that these spiky Australian critters are capable of vocalizing. Previously, it was believed that echidnas only made "sniffing" noises. The discovery of echidna vocalizations helps resolve the scientific debate about when early mammals started using sound to communicate and suggests that acoustic communication likely developed 100 to 200 million years ago. The study also highlights the need for further research to understand the purpose and meaning behind echidna vocalizations.