Blue whales are the largest mammals on Earth and the loud whistling call they produce is equally impressive. It can go up to 188 decibels, louder than a jet engine. However, many whale sounds are below the hearing range of humans (infrasound). Blue whale communication is also not as complex and varied as the ‘song’ of the humpback whale, but the sound is audible to the other blue whales even from 800 km away.
Whistles and pulsed calls are used during social activities. Pulsed calls are more frequent and sound like squeaks, screams, and squawks to the human ear. Differing vocal “dialects” have been found to exist between different pods within the same whale population. This is most likely so that whales can differentiate between whales within their pods and strangers.
Whales also use their tails and fins to make loud slapping noises on the surface of the water to communicate non verbally. The sound can be heard for hundreds of meters below the surface and may be a warning sign of aggression or a tool to scare schools of fish together, making them an easier meal.
Picture Credit : Google