Whale vocalization

Whales sing loud enough that their songs travel through the ocean, but knowing the mechanics behind that has been a mystery.

Scientists now think they have an idea, and it's something not seen in other animals: A specialized voice box.

Experts say the discovery, while based on a study that is too tiny to be definitive, will direct future research into how whales communicate.

All over the world, whales leap high into the air and crash back into the water, slapping their tails and fins on the ocean’s surface on the way down. Since breaching (as the behavior is called) demands so much energy—especially when whales are fasting during migrations—scientists assume it plays a crucial role in cetacean life, but what exactly that role is remains murky.

A lonely whale, dubbed 52, has caused many to empathize. The creature has roamed the world in search for a companion but never gets an answer to its sounds. The solitary whale has been named 52 due to the 52-hert frequency of its mating calls that have been picked up by navy sonar detectives.