Why do whales sing underwater?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: For long-distance communication
For long-distance communication ✓ — Correct! Male humpback whales sing complex songs that can travel hundreds of miles underwater. The songs may attract females, establish territory, or communicate with other whales. Each population has unique songs that evolve over years. Sound travels 4x faster in water than air!
Scaring away predators — Wrong. Adult whales have few natural predators. Songs are for communication, not defense. If threatened, whales use other behaviors like tail slapping.
Navigating in darkness — Wrong. Whales do use sound for echolocation (like dolphins), but the long, complex songs are specifically for social communication and mating, not navigation.