Unlocking Ocean Mysteries: How Scientists Hear the World's Sneakiest Whales

Beaked whales are some of the most secretive creatures in the ocean. They are rarely seen because they can dive deeper and stay underwater longer than any other mammal. In June 2024, scientist Elizabeth Henderson and her team were searching for these whales off the coast of Baja California. They used powerful binoculars to scan the calm sea, hoping to spot the whales. Beaked whales are hard to see because their bodies are small and light grey, making them look like waves. After several days without any luck, the boat’s captain suddenly spotted two young whales swimming right next to their boat. This was surprising because people usually think beaked whales avoid boats, but these two were curious and came close to the scientists.

There are 24 known species of beaked whales, but many are still a mystery. Some species have only been discovered when their bodies washed up on shore. Scientists are now using new technology to learn more about these whales. They use underwater microphones called hydrophones to listen to the unique clicks and buzzes that each species makes. These sounds help the whales find their way in the dark ocean and hunt for food like squid and fish. By recording and studying these sounds, scientists can identify which species are nearby, even if they never see them. Sometimes, scientists also collect a small piece of skin to check the whale’s DNA. This helps confirm which species they have found. Elizabeth’s team thought they had found one kind of beaked whale, but the DNA showed it was actually a gingko-toothed beaked whale, a species that had never been seen alive in the wild before.

Listening to beaked whales is much easier than trying to see them. Scientists can leave microphones deep in the ocean to record sounds for months. This helps them learn where different species live and how many there are. They have also discovered that even young beaked whales can dive very deep, which is unusual for whales. Scientists want to know more about where each species lives so they can protect them. Beaked whales face dangers from loud navy sonar, fishing nets, and plastic pollution. Loud sounds can confuse the whales and make them come up too quickly, which can hurt them. Plastic in the ocean is also a problem because whales sometimes eat it by mistake. Beaked whales are important for the ocean because they help move nutrients and carbon from deep water to the surface, which helps other sea life and even helps fight climate change. Scientists are excited to keep learning more about these mysterious whales by listening to their sounds and hope that more people will care about protecting them.