Sounds and Feeding Behavior of Cetaceans Presented by Julie Rothrock

The Importance of Sound Navigation Monitoring the environment Communication Breeding Feeding

Frequency Humans can hear frequencies between 20 Hz and 20 kHz. Most human speech takes place between 200 and 8,000 Hz and the human ear is most sensitive to frequencies around 1000 and 3,500 Hz. Sound above the hearing range is known as ultrasound, and that below the hearing range as infrasound.

Echolocation Helps determine distance, position and size Finds and stuns food Efficient Used only by toothed whales

Bottlenose Dolphins Frequency range 75 Hz and 150 kHz Number of clicks decreases as depth increases Whistles are used in socialization Jaw-clap during conflict

Orcas Low frequency clicks 2 kHz or less High frequency whistles up to 6 kHz

Sperm Whales Produce regular clicks throughout most of their dives Clicks function as long range sonar “Creaks” indicate foraging phase of dive

Belugas Sounds include clicks, squeaks, whistles, and bell-like clangs Frequency range of non-echolocation calls from 2000 to 5900 Hz Echolocation sounds between 100 kHz to 120 kHz

Feeding Techniques Orcas: group feeding Sperm whales: deep foraging Beluga: slow swimming, forage along seabed Bottlenose dolphin: most feeding between ft, group feeding

Sound Production Baleen Whales Sounds differ from toothed whales Lack complex nasal passages Lack complex tissue of the blowhole

Humpbacks frequency range of 30 Hz to 8 kHz complicated "songs"

Right Whales BowheadRight whale calf Northern Right Whales: moans of a frequency below 400 Hz. Southern Right Whales: moans under 400 Hz, upswept vocalizations Bowhead: patterned sequences of complex "songs“, counter-calling, and repeated calls for an extended period of time

Finbacks 16 to 40 Hz Various combinations of pulses Patterned sequences usually lasting 7-15 minutes Repeated sometimes for many days Barely audible to humans

Minke Rapid sequences Short pulses Frequency range of 30 to 450 Hz

Blue Barely audible to humans Atlantic: Frequency range of 10 to 39 Hz Pacific: Frequency range of 10 to 39 Hz

Feeding Techniques Right: skim feeding Humpback: rush from below, lunge, bubblenet Finback: horizontal passes, sharp turns and rolls, enormous throat distension Sei: erratic opening and closing mouth, throat distension at each closing Grey: forage along bottom

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