Sperm whales spend much of their lives in darkness, making sound crucial for communication. They use a sophisticated system of patterned clicks called "codas" to socialize.
Recent research utilizing machine learning has revealed that their communication is more nuanced than previously thought, similar to human language in its complexity. Codas are produced during social interactions and can include variations in rhythm, tempo, and inflections, indicating different levels of excitement or other social cues. Sperm whales live in family groups, aiding each other in raising young, and exhibit behaviors like babysitting.
The study underscores the depth of information conveyed through codas, revealing dimensions previously unnoticed, thus advancing our understanding of whale communication. Taylor H., a bio-acoustician at Oregon State University, emphasizes the importance of these findings in deciphering whale communication.
Vocabulary:
• Sperm whales: A type of large marine mammal known for its distinctive clicking sounds.
• Nuance: A subtle or slight degree of difference.
• Postdoctoral: Relating to study or research done after receiving a doctoral degree.
• Codas: Patterns of clicks used by sperm whales for communication.
• Bio-acoustician: A scientist who studies the sounds produced by living organisms.
• Socialize: To interact with others in a social context.
• Forage: To search for food.
• Machine learning: A branch of artificial intelligence involving algorithms that improve automatically through experience.
Source: BBC News