Why Do Whales Sing?

There is something almost eerie about the sounds that whales make when they sing. Scientists have wondered about this for years. They have not been able to determine exactly what the singing of the whales signifies. However, there are many theories that are being investigated by researchers to find an explanation for the sounds.

A multi-year study of whale songs demonstrates some interesting results. All of the male members of a pod sing a particular song and that song changes from season to season and from pod to pod. Some phrases remain the same but the whole song changes in other ways. This suggests the songs may be a method of pod identification.

Another postulated reason for the songs is transference of information about travels over the last season to other pods, a sort of oral history for the whale culture. Some scientists suggest that the song is part of an advanced echolocation technique. These scientists suggest that the songs are a way to give precise information about the surroundings of the whales.

Some also believe that the songs actually are able to carry that information over large distances to other whales. This could be used in the mating ritual with a female distant from the whale’s present location.

Some scientists believe that the whale song is a method of communicating a whale’s present location to other whales. When a whale hears the song being sung by another whale, it can compare the tones and sounds to the same sounds sung in the location without distance and water variations to interfere. From the differences in the two versions of the song, the listener may determine the current location of the singer.

Some scientists believe that the songs are integrally involved in the mating rituals. Why do whales sing? The songs are used to define sexual dominance, territory definition or simply as a means of flirting with a prospective female. The songs may be used to select from a group of males that are competing for a particular female. The songs sung by the whales have been thought to be a form of poetry. The way in which the whale performs may influence its sexual success in siring an offspring.

Whale Songs

The songs of whales are a collection of moans, clicks and whistles. They have defined patterns and sets of sounds that repeat within the songs. They are unique to each pod and location. The repeated sets of sounds are referred to as phrases and a song may last up to thirty minutes. You must remember that whales have no vocal chords. They also don’t need to exhale to produce the sounds. A fascinating fact is that only the male whales sing. There have been no observed singings by a female whale. This may indicate that the singing is connected to some aspect of the mating rituals of the whales, although this hasn't been proven. As scientists continue to observe and try to understand the simple question, why do whales sing, there is still no known reason for the songs. Many theories abound but there is no definitive answer.

Whales and Song

Of the many types of whales that live in the oceans, it appears that the baleen type whales sing more often. The baleen, right whale and killer whales all have a different dialect. With so many songs and different whales, the communication possible is quite extensive and can span huge distances. Communication can be sent around the world from pod to pod.

The role of communication between whales may be undertaken by singing males. It is a way to keep a pod together on the long migration route of each type of whale. The humpback and right whales may migrate many thousands of miles and without a method to keep a pod together, there would be a great chance that some would be lost along the way. Regardless of what the songs actually mean, they are soothing to the ears of humans. Take some time and listen to the sounds of the world around or beneath you, and enjoy the song of the whale.