Marine Biology

Communication

        Marine mammals make and hear sound in different ways and for different reasons. The purpose of vocalizations ranges from communicating with the same species to locating unseen targets.

         Polar bears' hearing is as sensitive as human hearing. They make noise mostly when they are angry or threatened. Sounds include hissing, growling, champing of teeth, and soft chuffing. Cubs make noise by hissing, squalling, whimpering, lip smacking, and throaty rumblings. Polar bears also communicate through sight, touch, and smell. Sirenians have very small, hard-to-find ear openings. Their internal ear bones are very large and help provide a good sense of hearing. They communicate by making chirping, squeaking, and whistling noises.

        Pinnipeds make lots of different noises on land. Their sounds vary between sexes and ages. Sounds by breeding males are very loud, repetitive, and serve to threaten other males and advertise their high rank. Sounds can include barking, growling, yelping, and snarling. Female pinnipeds have a distinctive pup call, which helps a female recognize, locate, and maintain contact with her pup in crowded breeding colonies.