• Question: How can sperm whales create such loud clicks?

    Asked by michelletherezien to Jo, Kevin on 22 Jun 2012.
    • Photo: Joanna Cruden

      Joanna Cruden answered on 22 Jun 2012:


      The sperm whale’s head contains a structure called the phonic lip which air is blown through and this is what creates the clicks, they click to attract mates. I have found a really nice website which has movies and you can hear the clicks they make:-

      http://www.dosits.org/audio/marinemammals/toothedwhales/spermwhale/

    • Photo: Kevin Mahon

      Kevin Mahon answered on 22 Jun 2012:


      It’s an incredibly loud noise – sperm whale’s clicking is the loudest sound produced by any animal in the world!

      They also are believed to click to aid sonar and it has even been theorised it may be used to stun prey!

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