Sperm whales: the ocean’s amazing talkers

Scientists have discovered that changes in the length of codes in sperm whales can be consciously modeled, depending on the context of communication. The addition of additional clicks conveys certain shades of meaning, which makes the language of sperm whales very complex and surprising.

This new understanding of sperm whale language provides deeper insight into their social interactions and ability to create complex communication systems. If it is confirmed that combinations of sounds are indeed enriched with various meanings, sperm whales will turn out to be one of the most talkative animals in the world, second only to humans.