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Related Experiment Videos

Beaked whales echolocate on prey.

Mark Johnson1, Peter T Madsen, Walter M X Zimmer

  • 1Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA. mjohnson@whoi.edu

Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|April 2, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Researchers tagged beaked whales (Ziphius and Mesoplodon) to study their vocalizations. These elusive marine mammals use echolocation clicks deep underwater, providing the first evidence of foraging behavior in wild toothed whales.

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Area of Science:

  • Marine Biology
  • Bioacoustics
  • Behavioral Ecology

Background:

  • Beaked whales (Ziphiidae) are elusive and primarily studied via strandings.
  • Their acoustic behavior is a concern due to mass strandings during naval sonar exercises.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the acoustic behavior and foraging strategies of beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris and Mesoplodon densirostris).
  • To gather data on vocalizations for potential acoustic monitoring and conservation efforts.

Main Methods:

  • Non-invasive acoustic recording tags were deployed on four beaked whales (two of each species).
  • Recorded high-frequency clicks and echoes during deep dives, up to 1267 meters.
  • Analyzed click characteristics and recorded prey echoes.

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Main Results:

  • Beaked whales clicked only below 200 meters, producing numerous short, directional, ultrasonic clicks.
  • The first-ever echoes from prey were recorded, demonstrating echolocation use in wild foraging.
  • Estimated Mesoplodon click source levels at 200-220 dB re 1 microPa at 1 m.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides conclusive data on the normal vocalizations of Ziphius and Mesoplodon.
  • Direct evidence of echolocation use in foraging by free-ranging beaked whales was obtained.
  • Findings may facilitate acoustic monitoring to mitigate harm from intense sounds.