Based on unique whale song, scientists have found evidence of a previously unknown population of blue whales in the western Indian ocean.
- US-led experts detected the song at three locations: the Chagos Archipelago, Madagascar and Oman’s Arabian Sea coast, which researchers have called the “Northwest Indian Ocean”.
- The research study was published in the journal Endangered Species Research.
- These highly endangered mammals are found around the globe in all oceans.
- For a long time it was believed that whales sang solely for mating purposes. But some experts suggest the songs also help the mammals explore their surroundings.
- Whale songs are typically below 4 kHz in frequency (human hearing range is between 20 Hz to 20 kHz). Some blue and fin whale songs are so low in their frequency that parts may be inaudible to human ears.
- Not all whales sing. Only some, such as the baleen whale, have been found to sing songs.
(Source: Daily Mail and Indian Express)
