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'Whispering' Whales: Humpback Calves Speak Softly to Mom

A newborn humpback whale learns early in life to use its "indoor voice" to avoid attracting the attention of nearby killer whales, researchers have discovered. Using temporary tags that recorded audio from humpback mothers and calves, scientists found that the calves communicated with their mothers very quietly — in muted squeaks compared to the bellows of adult males — perhaps to lower the risk of being overheard and pursued by killer whales, according to a new study. The findings offer a rare glimpse into the development of young humpbacks and hint at the complex interactions the young whales share with their mothers in order to survive during long migrations in the open ocean when they are still young and vulnerable, the study authors wrote.