Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery about shark behavior, challenging the long-held myth that sharks are eerily silent. Researchers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute found that some species of sharks, including the Mustelus lenticulatus, or small-spotted catshark, can actively make noise by clicking their jaws together.
The discovery was made possible by studying juvenile shark specimens in a controlled environment, where they were handled and recorded making short, high-frequency clicks. These sounds, which averaged about 48 milliseconds per click, were heard at frequencies between 2.4 and 18.5 kilohertz. The researchers believe that these clicks may be a form of distress response or a way to communicate with other sharks.
The team’s findings have significant implications for our understanding of shark communication and behavior. While it is unclear whether the sharks can hear their own noises, it is possible that they are using sound to convey information about food, predators, or potential mates.
Lead researcher Carolin Nieder noted that the discovery was unexpected and sheds new light on the complex behaviors of these often-misunderstood creatures. The study’s results have been published in Royal Society Open Science and pave the way for further research into shark communication and behavior.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/hear-the-first-ever-recordings-of-sharks-actively-making-noises