Book 1, Question 39 · Video
Why Do Whales Sing? Songs That Travel for Miles!
Whale songs are some of the ocean's most amazing sounds! Sound travels far in water, and the page says whale songs can travel for miles. Male humpbacks sing complex, patterned song
Read the full answer →What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hi! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do whales sing?
The Big Idea
Hello, ocean explorers! Whales make amazing sounds underwater: moans, whoops, and songs! But why do they do it? Let's dive in, and discover three reasons!
Travels Far
Reason one: sound travels far in water! Sound moves about four times faster in water than in air, and travels a long way. Low whale sounds can be heard many kilometers away! So singing is a great way to send a message across the ocean.
Patterned Songs
Reason two: patterned songs, often in breeding season! Male humpback whales sing long, complex songs, with repeating patterns. Scientists think the songs help attract mates, and may tell other males, I'm here! Amazingly, nearby whales sing the same song, and it slowly changes over time!
Clicks and Calls
Reason three: clicks, to find food and friends! Toothed whales, like dolphins and orcas, make clicks, and listen for the echoes. That's called echolocation. It helps them navigate, and find food. And whales call to each other, to stay connected with their family!
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look at a singing humpback. It doesn't open its mouth to sing! It moves air around inside. The sound spreads out through the water, in waves. Other whales, far away, can hear the song! And those huge flippers are the longest of any whale!
Quick Facts
Quick facts! A humpback song can last more than 20 minutes, and may repeat for hours! Blue whales make some of the loudest animal sounds on Earth. Their deepest calls are so low, people can't hear them without special tools! And scientists listen with underwater microphones, called hydrophones.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, listen to a recording of whale sounds. What patterns do you hear? Do any sounds repeat? Why do you think the whales are singing? Science is everywhere, even deep in the ocean!
Outro
So whales sing to find mates, stay in touch, and explore their ocean world. What a beautiful song! Remember, Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!