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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Nicola Davis Science correspondent

Different sperm whale ‘dialects’ detected on separate sides of the Mediterranean

An adult sperm whale swims near the surface with two smaller whales beneath in blue water.
Sperm whales communicate vocally using sequences of short clicks called codas. Photograph: Mike Korostelev/Getty Images

From “Howdy” to “G’day”, English – like other languages – is rich in dialects. Now researchers have found sperm whales on different sides of the Mediterranean show similar variations in their vocalisations.

Sperm whales communicate vocally using sequences of short clicks called codas. However, the rhythmic pattern of these clicks, known as the dialect, can differ between different matriarchal groups.

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