How to see what whales hear
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Title | How to see what whales hear |
Publication Type | Magazine Article |
Year of Publication | 2005 |
Authors | Ketten, D. R., and K. Madin |
Magazine | Oceanus |
Volume | 43 |
Issue Number | 2 |
Pagination | 59-63 |
Date Published | 03/2005 |
Type of Article | Scientific |
ISBN Number | 0029-8182 |
Call Number | DRK8741 |
Keywords | biomedical imaging, computed tomography, whale hearing |
Abstract | Although whales and dolphins are air-breathing mammals, they spend approximately 85 percent of their time submerged. Compared to sound, light does not penetrate water well, and it is not surprising that whales and dolphins rely primarily on hearing and sound rather than sight to sense their environment and communicate. The Odontoceti—toothed dolphins and whales that hunt fish, squid, and other prey—evolved parallel abilities with bats, actively using clicks and pulsed sounds for underwater echolocation. |