Sharks have long been thought to be silent predators, but a team of marine biologists in New Zealand has made a groundbreaking discovery. According to a study published in the Royal Society Open Science journal, sharks are capable of producing sharp, abrupt clicks.
The researchers found that the rig shark species, which is common in coastal waters, produces these clicks when moving its body or being handled. The clicks were recorded at high volumes of up to 156 decibels and appear to be outside the shark’s normal hearing range.
While the reasons for the production of these clicks are still unclear, experts believe they may be a defense mechanism to ward off predators. However, the study raises more questions than answers, particularly regarding whether the sharks would produce such sounds in the wild.
The discovery challenges the long-held assumption that sharks remain silent and highlights the need for further research into their behavior and communication methods.
Source: https://futurism.com/sharks-make-noises