Why Do Some Seals Sing Under the Ice?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do some seals sing under the ice?

The Big Idea

Some seals sing under the ice because sound travels far in water! Male Weddell seals and bearded seals make long trills and whistles. Their songs can be heard miles away. Let's listen in!

Underwater Songs

Step one: seal songs. Male Weddell seals and bearded seals make long, eerie trills and whistles underwater. It sounds like a science-fiction movie, with lots of sliding whistles.

Sound Travels

Step two: sound travels far. Sound travels very well in water. So the songs can be heard miles away.

Why Sing?

Step three: why they sing. The sounds help mark territory and attract mates. Scientists place underwater microphones to listen to polar seas, so the seals do not have to be disturbed.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! A male seal sings under the thick ice. He makes trills and whistles. The sound travels far through the water. Scientists listen with underwater microphones.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! A Weddell seal call can sound like a laser blaster from a movie. Different seals have different songs, a bit like different accents. Listening to the sea helps scientists study animals without disturbing them. Stay safe near water, and ask a grown-up to help you search online.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, listen to recordings of Weddell seal calls on a science museum website. What do they remind you of? Tell someone what you heard, and make your own seal sounds! Share what you discover with a grown-up.

Outro

Seals sing under the ice, and sound travels far. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!