Whale melodies can reach almost 5000 kilometres between populations that have never met.
Even though the two geographical locations are approximately 5,000 miles (8,000 km) apart, an international team of researchers has discovered similarities in the melodies produced by whales in eastern Australia and those in French Polynesia. This was revealed in a study by New Scientist.
The rhythmic song that male humpback whales sing is something they acquire socially. It consists of structures that resemble classical music notes and symphonies. These mammals have been found to transmit their culture through song, and the majority of males in a colony will sing the same song.
The tunes certainly change over time, but it happens gradually and methodically. However, in the South Pacific, where the whale groups have entirely and quickly changed their songs, researchers have observed so...