Some baleen whales, or whales that have plates in their mouths to help sieve out plankton, sing low-frequency songs to not only attract potential mates but also keep them safe from killer whale attacks.
According to new research published in Marine Mammal Science by the University of Washington (UW), these low-frequency songs are part of a baleen whale’s fight-or-flight response.
Whales in Fight or Flight
Baleen whales are often more solitary, as compared to orcas, and include species like humpbacks, blue whales, and gray whales. As solitary creatures, they are easier targets for a pod of killer whales, especially when they have their calves.
