A new audio shows shy narwhals sound like chainsaws

31 May 2020

A new audio shows shy narwhals sound like chainsaws

A new audio shows shy narwhals sound like chainsawsHave you ever read about narwhals?

Narwhals are rare, shy whales that have one long tooth that can grow like a horn. This is why they are also called "sea unicorns".

They are related to bottlenose dolphins, belugas, harbour porpoises, and orcas.

Recently, scientists along with Inuit (Eskimo) hunters recorded narwhal sounds in a Greenland fjord. A fjord is a narrow passage of water surrounded by steep cliffs on both sides.

Narwhals live in the freezing deep parts of the Arctic Ocean and are almost never seen. They usually swim away when people come near.
 	So, this time, scientists went with local Inuit hunters who know how to approach the animal without being noticed.
 	The sounds were recorded with underwater microphones attached to their boats.

What did the scientists discover?

Scientists discovered that narwhals make different types of clicking, whistling and buzzing noises.
 	They seem to use whistles to "talk to" each other and clicks for travelling and hunting.
 	They 'click' faster as they get closer to their food until the noise becomes a buzz, similar to a chainsaw.

These new recordings will help scientist to understand narwhals' behaviours better.

You can also listen to the narwhals' sounds below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=Nn5r7lcWhJQ&feature=emb_logo

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