Music critic Stacey Anderson has listened to a lot of songs in her time. So many, in fact, that she’s grown a bit bored of human music. Now she’s curious about the famous crooners of the deep blue: whales.
We spoke to humpback whale expert Ellen Garland to find out what makes whales sing what they sing.
Ellen’s research suggest that, at least among humpbacks, it’s male whales singing to impress — who else — female whales.
Early evidence indicates that the most successful casanovas are the ones that bring in new, novel sounds each year, but in reality, we’re not even sure what female whales prefer.
Gif via 1cutetomboii.tumblr.com.
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