Sperm whales have long been known for their longevity, intelligence and social behavior. However, scientists have always been puzzled by the simplicity of their vocalizations, despite the complexity of their lives. A new study led by Ph.D. student Pratyusha Sharma from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab has shed new light on this mystery.
The study revealed that sperm whale vocalizations consist of at least 150 distinct patterns called codas. Instead of examining these codas in isolation, Sharma’s team focused on how they relate to each other. By considering variables such as rhythm, tempo, sound length and additional sounds that could alter a coda’s meaning, the researchers discovered a “sperm whale phonetic alphabet” for the first time. This breakthrough challenges previous assumptions about these majestic creatures and sheds new light on the intricacies of sperm whale communication. The study was published in Nature Communications.
