Researchers at the University of Auckland in New Zealand have made a groundbreaking discovery by recording a shark actively making noise for the first time. The shark, identified as a rig shark, was found to produce a sharp clicking sound by snapping its teeth together. This is a significant finding that challenges the long-held notion of sharks being silent killers.
According to Dr. Carolin Nieder, the lead researcher on the project, she initially heard the sound while researching the hearing abilities of sharks. The noise was similar to an electric spark and was produced when the shark was handled or moved between tanks. A study of 10 rig sharks housed in tanks equipped with underwater microphones revealed that all the sharks would click nine times in a 20-second interval.
The researchers believe that the clicking sound is likely a response to stress or being startled, rather than a means of communication with other sharks. The study also highlights the importance of reevaluating our understanding of marine animals’ sensory abilities and how we can impact them through noise pollution.
Dr. Christine Erbe, director of the Center for Marine Science and Technology at Curtin University in Australia, notes that this finding expands on the growing field of research into animal communication and environmental sensing. The discovery underscores the significance of sharks being underestimated in their ability to perceive and respond to their environment through sound.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/27/science/shark-sounds-recording.html