, 2025-12-30 13:30:00 ,
Using microphones placed anywhere from 10 to nearly 5,000m (33-16,400ft) underwater – called hydrophones – scientists are listening to beaked whales’ echolocation clicks and buzzes, which they use to navigate the dark ocean depths. Each species has a unique echolocation pulse, creating an audio signature that tells scientists which is which.
In the initial identification of a species, genetic analysis is important, too: scientists use a crossbow to take a skin biopsy, and collect water samples to analyse environmental DNA. For Henderson’s identification of the gingko-toothed beaked whale, this genetic material was “the missing piece that we needed,” she says. Taking this material comes with important ethical considerations, but thankfully only needs collecting once. “It does have the potential for possible injury,” Henderson says. “So as research scientists, we don’t want to be casual about it.”
A microphone, on the other hand, doesn’t cause harm. “It’s not impacting them at all, because it’s just passively listening,” Henderson says – especially when it’s stationary in the water, independent of a boat. “Once we have the genetics and we’ve confirmed what echolocation pulse goes with what species, we don’t need the genetics anymore. We just need the bioacoustics. We almost don’t even need to see them anymore, because we can just listen.”
And when an animal spends as much time deep below the surface as beaked whales do, hearing them is dramatically easier than seeing them. There’s no need for a vessel, or calm conditions. “You’re able to put acoustic recorders out and get data on any species of beaked whale that’s out there. You can get all the information that you need about a species just using passive acoustic monitoring,” Henderson says.
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