Cornell University
Listen to bearded seal vocalizations, sometimes described as “otherworldly.” These loud calls are essential to bearded seals’ reproduction, but rising industrial noise in the Arctic could have them struggling to be heard. Bearded seals are loud – but not loud enough
February 24, 2021
During mating season, male bearded seals make loud calls to attract a mate. How loud? Well, even their “quiet” call can still be as ear-rattling as a chainsaw.
These elaborate vocalizations are essential for bearded seal reproduction, and have to be loud enough to be heard over the cacophony of their equally loud brethren
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But in the rapidly changing Arctic soundscape, where noise from industrial activities is predicted to dramatically increase in the next 15 years, bearded seals may need to adjust their calling behavior if they are going to be heard above the noise generated by ships and commercial activities.
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ITHACA, N.Y. - During mating season, male bearded seals make loud calls to attract a mate. How loud? Well, even their quiet call can still be as ear-rattling as a chainsaw.
These elaborate vocalizations are essential for bearded seal reproduction, and have to be loud enough to be heard over the cacophony of their equally loud brethren.
But in the rapidly changing Arctic soundscape, where noise from industrial activities is predicted to dramatically increase in the next 15 years, bearded seals may need to adjust their calling behavior if they are going to be heard above the noise generated by ships and commercial activities.