Scientist Discover a Shark that Makes Sounds
Have you ever wondered if sharks can make sounds? Researchers at the University of Auckland in New Zealand recently discovered that a small shark called the rig shark can indeed click and make noise. This finding is exciting because it’s the first evidence of a shark actively making sounds.
In a study published on March 26, in the journal Royal Society Open Science, the researchers documented the clicking sounds produced by this shark. Lead researcher Carolin Nieder, a marine biologist, noted that the discovery was unexpected. She originally focused on how sharks hear, not on whether they make sounds.
The rig shark is a small species, reaching only about 5 feet in length. When the scientists held the shark, they heard a sound similar to a spark of electricity. "I was shocked," Nieder said, recalling the moment she heard the clicking sound.
The team began their study in 2021 with underwater recording equipment to observe the sharks. Whenever a rig shark was held, it started clicking, which may be from its teeth snapping together. Interestingly, the sharks did not make noise while swimming. This could mean the clicking is a response to stress.
Nieder completed her Ph.D. before publishing the results last week. The study adds complexity to our understanding of sharks. For ages, sharks were thought to be silent creatures. This misconception might have led to their scary reputation in movies like Jaws and Deep Blue Sea.
Many fish have a swim bladder that helps them float and can produce sound, but sharks lack this feature. "Sharks were seen as silent, which may have added to their bad image," Nieder explained.
According to recent statistics, there are over 500 different shark species. Most are small, like the rig shark, and are often preyed upon by larger sharks and humans. Nieder hopes that this discovery will spark curiosity about sharks and their acoustic world.
This groundbreaking research shows that there’s still so much to learn about sharks. Listening to them in their natural habitats could reveal more about their behavior and life.
If you’d like more information about sharks, check out the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.
As more studies are conducted, we may uncover even more secrets about these fascinating underwater creatures.
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