Uncovering the Underwater Songs of Baleen Whales
Scientists have discovered the unique anatomy behind the haunting songs of baleen whales, revealing that they use a larynx modified with a cushion of fat and muscle to produce sounds underwater. This novel structure allows baleen whales to communicate and find each other in dark oceans, with humpback whales using vocalization for communication and mating. The study also found that human-made shipping noises interfere with the whales' ability to communicate, as their vocalizations fall within the same frequency range and ocean depths.