Sharks may not have vocal cords, but they certainly do make noises. Animals make noises to communicate with other animals, and sharks are no exception. Mammals, for example, use their vocal cords and bang their meaty appendages together to communicate. Amphibians push air into the stretchy skin under their mouths to create a variety of reverberating sounds. In some cases, sharks also make noise in their environment.

Whale sharks

There are two theories about why whale sharks make noise. One is based on the fact that the animals consume air during feeding at the surface. Occasionally, whale sharks release bubbles after consuming plankton. Whether these sounds are intentional or accidental is uncertain, but they certainly contribute to the general noise level in the ocean. Whatever the reason, the whale shark’s noises are often drowned out by human activity, a fact that is backed up by science.

Another theory relates whale shark sounds to the behavior of humans. In a 2011 recording, scientist Amy Barrett captured whale sharks feeding in the Pacific Ocean, alongside sea lions and blue-footed boobies. Barrett’s recording of the whale sharks’ feeding frenzy sounds like a summer woodland pond. These drum-like pulses are heard at varying volumes. In fact, whale sharks make noise – and it’s not just humans who can hear them!

Snapping shrimp

Do sharks make noise? This question is frequently asked by shark enthusiasts. However, there is no definitive answer to this question. Sharks do not make noise underwater. Although some animals do, their sound is not detectable until they are behind their target. Moreover, sound travels more efficiently in the ocean than in the terrestrial environment. Nevertheless, increasing noise levels have a significant impact on ocean ecosystems and species. Noise from industrial ships, oil drilling, and naval surveillance all weaken animal interactions and impair survival.

It is possible that sharks make noise to attract prey. The sound of a struggling prey attracts sharks. However, they don’t focus on individual prey. Rather, they listen to the sound of the struggling prey. Sharks make noise during mating, hunting, or distress. If they hear you screaming, they may attack you and try to catch you. You can also try shouting loudly or slapping the water to scare them away.

Sperm whales

The answer to the question, Do Sperm whales make noise? lies in their complex social structures and the sounds they produce. These whales have complex social structures and their clicking sounds play an important role in maintaining bonds within their pods. Female sperm whales travel in groups called pods, staying with their calves for years. Within these pods, they develop communication methods. These whales use a type of echolocation called codas, which are sequences of up to 20 clicks. These sounds are shared among species and across geographic regions.

While dolphins use their air sacs to redirect sound, sperm whales create their own sound waves. Their sounds are then relayed along a fat channel and to the ear bones. Dolphins, on the other hand, have two independent lips and can create two separate sounds. Their nasal tubes can vibrate thousands of times, which makes them capable of making noise at two separate times. So, do Sperm whales make noise?

Bull sharks

Despite their name, bull sharks are not new to the waters of the Pamlico Sound. They are juveniles, and they prefer these waters for their nursey habitats. These creatures are often spotted in the vicinity of the ocean’s barrier islands. During these times, you might hear their rumbling, roaring, and pupping. In North Carolina, this can be a good sign, as this means the waters around the Pamlico Sound are clean and plentiful.

Researchers in North Carolina, where bull sharks are found, have gathered data for several years. The data collected during this survey showed that there were more juvenile bull sharks in their research nets than in previous years. From 1965 to 2011, the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission reported no bull sharks in these estuaries, but from 2013 to 2016, the number increased. Of those 70 tagged in the survey, 61 were identified as juveniles.

Great white sharks

Sharks have impressive array of senses, and researchers have long wondered whether sharks can be deterred by varying sensory cues. Recently, a study led by Dr. Lucille Chapuis of the University of Exeter, UK, examined whether sharks make noises that can act as acoustic repellents. This research, however, highlights the need for more studies on shark behaviour. Researchers published the study in Nature.

Not only do sharks not produce sound, but their vocalizations are not the same as human sounds. They lack the social dynamics that require roars to warn others. In fact, they do not even use sound as a mate receptivity signal. Interestingly, however, there are other animal species that make noises, including whales, dolphins, and sea lions. Among them, only two genera of sharks make noises.

Grey reef sharks

A recent study has discovered that grey reef sharks make noise to communicate with other individuals. Scientists from Florida International University tagged 41 of the sharks and installed 65 acoustic receivers around the palmyra atoll. These devices record the shark’s noise whenever it comes within 300 meters of the receivers. The recordings show that grey reef sharks live in stable social groups and that they rarely move from one group to another.

These sharks’ great sense of smell and hearing allows them to understand the environment in which they live. Their noses contain countless sensory cells, and they can sense very low concentrations of blood. They also have excellent vision, sensitivity to blue-green light, and many rod cells in the retina. Their eyesight helps them hunt by starlight. Unlike humans, grey reef sharks have ears that function as semicircular canals for balance, vibration, and motion.