How whales breathe, communicate ... and fart with their faces - Joy Reidenberg

TL;DR

Whales use their blowhole to make unique farting sounds underwater, which are actually a form of echolocation.

Transcript

Hi, everybody! I am a comparative anatomist. A comparative anatomist is someone who studies the structure of the body of lots of different animals. And my favorite animals are whales. I like to study whales because they're so interesting. They've adapted to a unique environment of living in the water. And what I'm going to tell you about is how wha... Read More

Key Insights

• 😤 Whales have a unique method of sound production, using their blowhole and vibrating their fatty lip over their nose, resembling farting noises.
• 👂 Sound production in whales serves purposes such as echolocation and communication.
• 🛩️ Small-toothed whales have air sacks all over their heads, which help them capture and recycle air while diving.
• 🫀 Comparative anatomists study whales through dissections and examining their anatomical structures to understand their unique adaptations and behaviors.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do whales use air in sound production?

Whales use their blowhole and vibrate their fatty lip over their nose, producing sounds that resemble farting noises. This is a form of echolocation that whales use to navigate and perceive their surroundings underwater.

Q: What is the purpose of the air sacks in small-toothed whales?

Small-toothed whales have air sacks all over their heads, which serve multiple purposes. These sacks allow them to capture and store air, ensuring they have enough when diving and in areas of high pressure. They also help recycle the air they use for sound production, conserving this precious resource underwater.

Q: How do comparative anatomists study whales?

Comparative anatomists study whales through various methods, including examining the structure of their bodies and dissecting stranded whales. They dissect the voice box or larynx of whales and analyze the vibrating parts and air sack arrangements to understand how they produce and control sound.

Q: How do whales prevent their nasal system from pressurizing?

Whales have air sacks that prevent pressurization of their nasal system. By keeping their noses closed and using these sacks, whales can maintain a continuous flow of air, allowing them to produce sound even with their mouths closed.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Comparative anatomist explains how whales make sounds by using their blowhole, resembling a farting noise, which is actually a form of echolocation.

• Whales have a built-in snorkel-like nose on top of their heads, and they use their upper lip to open and close their nostrils.

• Whales vibrate their big, fatty lip back and forth over their nose to produce sound, which is similar to letting air out of a balloon.