How Do Humpback Whales Communicate With Each

Singing in Chorus

Not only do individual male humpbacks produce complex songs that can carry thousands of miles, but they can also sing in choruses. Each population produces different songs in their chorus, stringing together sounds in unique variations. Every few years, it’s common for populations to compose entirely new songs. Researchers have also found that populations will share their songs. As parts of their sounds survive across the seas, other populations of male humpbacks are known to pick up these components and create their own renditions.

How Do Humpback Whales Communicate: Non-Song Vocalizations

All humpback whales use a range of non-song vocalizations to communicate. Individuals use these calls in a variety of social contexts. This can include during group feeding, between mother and calf, between competing males, to maintain contact across long distances, to sound alarms, and to initiate coordinated movements. Scientists also observe solitary humpbacks of both sexes making non-song vocalizations. The purpose of these calls, don’t travel great distances, is still unknown.

While only males produce songs, all humpback whales use non-song vocalizations to communicate with each other. A mother and calf use a variety of calls as they travel together.

How Do Humpback Whales Communicate: Non-Vocal Acoustic Communication

While the majority of humpback communication relies on song or non-song vocalizations, these amazing marine animals also use other forms of acoustic signaling.

Tail Slapping

Many species of whales slap their tails on the surface of the water, possibly for both predation and communication purposes. Known also as lobtailing, humpback will slap the water with their tail in a vertical motion. The sound produced from the action can travel miles under the water, indicating that communication is quite possibly one of the purposes of this behavior. Current theories by whale biologists as to the purpose of whale slapping for communication include to express irritation or initiate group movement.

Whale biologists believe that tail slapping, in addition to its use as a hunting strategy, may also serve as a form of communication.

Flipper Slapping

Humpback whales will also perform flipper, or pectoral fin, slaps. To do this, they will roll onto their back, lift their flippers out of the water, and slap them down onto the water. Current theories for this behavior as a means of communication include expressing joy, initiating play, or to attract the attention of potential mates.

Flip slapping may serve as another form of non-vocal, acoustic communication between humpback whales.

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