Scientists Capture First-Ever Recording of Sharks Making Noise

In an unprecedented discovery, researchers from the University of Auckland have recorded shark sounds for the first time, capturing a clicking noise from the rig shark, Mustelus lenticulatus. The study, led by marine biologist Carolin Nieder from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, was published in the Royal Society Open Science journal last month. The rig sharks, native to New Zealand's coastal waters, appear to produce a clicking sound similar to an electrical crackle when held. This could signal a stress response, as the noise is absent when sharks swim freely. The noise is hypothesized to originate from the sharks' uniquely structured, flat teeth snapping together. Historically considered silent due to the absence of a swim bladder, which other fish use both for buoyancy and sound production, this discovery challenges previous perceptions of sharks. Often painted as fearsome predators in media, sharks have over 500 species, of which many are smaller and less formidable like the rig shark. Nieder hopes this finding will spark curiosity and encourage more nuanced understandings of sharks. The study's timeline spans from 2021, with publication delayed by Nieder completing her PhD. With further research needed to confirm the function and purpose of this sound, possible implications point to a broader conversation about underwater acoustics and animal behavior. In related coverage, the fascination with ocean life is growing, as evidenced by diverse topics from Neptune's auroras to the identification of new prehistoric species, resonating with public interest in scientific advancements and environmental consciousness.