https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/dolphins_and_whales/ Whales and dolphins. Whale songs, beaching, endangered status -- current research news on all cetaceans. en-us Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:08:36 EDT Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:08:36 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/dolphins_and_whales/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260413043127.htm Gray whales are beginning to break their long-established migration patterns, venturing into risky new territory like San Francisco Bay as climate change disrupts their Arctic food supply. But this unexpected detour is proving deadly: nearly one in five whales that enter the Bay don’t survive, with many struck by ships in the crowded, foggy waters. Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:09:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260413043127.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260329222934.htm Making babies in space may be more complicated than expected, as new research shows sperm struggle to navigate in microgravity. Scientists found that while sperm can still swim normally, they lose their sense of direction without gravity, making it harder to reach and fertilize an egg. In lab experiments simulating space conditions, far fewer sperm successfully made it through a maze designed to mimic the reproductive tract, and fertilization rates in mice dropped by about 30%. Sun, 29 Mar 2026 23:03:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260329222934.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260323223929.htm Drone footage has revealed sperm whales headbutting each other—something scientists had only speculated about until now. Surprisingly, it’s younger whales doing it, not the giant males researchers expected. The behavior echoes old seafaring tales of whales smashing ships, once thought exaggerated. Now, scientists are eager to understand whether these clashes are play, practice, or serious competition. Mon, 23 Mar 2026 23:05:32 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260323223929.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260305182700.htm A new study shows that as humpback whale populations recover from past whaling, older males are gaining a major advantage in reproduction. Early in the recovery, breeding groups were dominated by younger whales. But as more mature males returned, they increasingly fathered more calves than their younger rivals. Scientists say experience in singing and competing may help older males win the breeding battle. Thu, 05 Mar 2026 20:19:42 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260305182700.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260131082418.htm Termites did not evolve complex societies by adding new genetic features. Instead, scientists found that they became more social by shedding genes tied to competition and independence. A shift to monogamy removed the need for sperm competition, while food sharing shaped who became workers or future kings and queens. Together, these changes helped termites build colonies that can number in the millions. Sat, 31 Jan 2026 08:35:05 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260131082418.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260105165813.htm Researchers studying Caribbean whales and orcas have discovered two new viruses not previously observed in these animals. The viruses were found using advanced genetic sequencing of archived samples, revealing a previously invisible layer of marine life. Their genetic makeup suggests these viruses may have ancient roots in whale evolution. What they mean for whale health is still a mystery, but the discovery opens the door to many new questions. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 08:10:12 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260105165813.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251227082736.htm When researchers lowered whale bones into the deep ocean, they expected zombie worms to quickly move in. Instead, after 10 years, none appeared — an unsettling result tied to low-oxygen waters in the region. These worms play a key role in breaking down whale remains and supporting deep-sea life. Their absence hints that climate-driven oxygen loss could unravel entire whale-fall ecosystems. Sun, 28 Dec 2025 01:12:45 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251227082736.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251212022244.htm Fossils from Qatar have revealed a small, newly identified sea cow species that lived in the Arabian Gulf more than 20 million years ago. The site contains the densest known collection of fossil sea cow bones, showing that these animals once thrived in rich seagrass meadows. Their ecological role mirrors that of modern dugongs, which still reshape the Gulf’s seafloor as they graze. The findings may help researchers understand how seagrass ecosystems respond to long-term environmental change. Fri, 12 Dec 2025 02:58:26 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251212022244.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251120002604.htm Scientists confirmed that West Coast transient killer whales actually form two separate groups split between inner and outer coastal habitats. Inner-coast whales hunt smaller prey in shallow, maze-like waterways, while outer-coast orcas pursue large marine mammals in deep offshore canyons. The groups rarely interact, despite sharing a broad range along the Pacific Coast. Their contrasting lifestyles highlight the need for distinct conservation strategies. Thu, 20 Nov 2025 23:40:28 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251120002604.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251103093007.htm In the Gulf of California, a pod of orcas known as Moctezuma’s pod has developed a chillingly precise technique for hunting young great white sharks — flipping them upside down to paralyze and extract their nutrient-rich livers. The behavior, filmed and documented by marine biologists, reveals a level of intelligence and social learning that suggests cultural transmission of hunting tactics among orcas. Mon, 03 Nov 2025 10:30:05 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251103093007.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251021083647.htm Common dolphins in the North Atlantic are living significantly shorter lives, with female longevity dropping seven years since the 1990s. Researchers found this decline by analyzing stranded dolphins, revealing a 2.4% drop in population growth linked to bycatch deaths and environmental pressures. The findings expose flaws in traditional counting methods and call for adaptive conservation measures, such as smarter fishing restrictions. Wed, 22 Oct 2025 01:46:39 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251021083647.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251011105521.htm Dolphins washing up on Florida’s shores may be victims of the same kind of brain degeneration seen in humans with Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers discovered that cyanobacterial toxins—worsened by climate change and nutrient pollution—accumulate in marine food chains, damaging dolphin brains with misfolded proteins and Alzheimer’s-like pathology. Sat, 11 Oct 2025 23:50:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251011105521.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250920214309.htm In Texas, biologists have documented an extraordinary bird — the natural hybrid offspring of a green jay and a blue jay. Once separated by millions of years of evolution and distinct ranges, the two species were brought together as climate change expanded their territories. A backyard birder’s photo led to the discovery, and after years of elusiveness, scientists confirmed the bird’s identity through genetic testing. Sat, 20 Sep 2025 23:45:10 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250920214309.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250828002359.htm Whale sharks in Indonesia are suffering widespread injuries, with a majority scarred by human activity. Researchers found bagans and boats to be the biggest threats, especially as shark tourism grows. Protecting these gentle giants may be as simple as redesigning fishing gear and boat equipment. Thu, 28 Aug 2025 04:01:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250828002359.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250812234534.htm An extraordinary fossil find along Victoria’s Surf Coast has revealed Janjucetus dullardi, a sharp-toothed, dolphin-sized predator that lived 26 million years ago. With large eyes, slicing teeth, and exceptional ear bone preservation, this early cousin of modern baleen whales offers unprecedented insight into their evolution. Wed, 13 Aug 2025 02:33:06 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250812234534.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250625075018.htm The shift from lizard-like sprawl to upright walking in mammals wasn’t a smooth climb up the evolutionary ladder. Instead, it was a messy saga full of unexpected detours. Using new bone-mapping tech, researchers discovered that early mammal ancestors explored wildly different postures before modern upright walking finally emerged—much later than once believed. Wed, 25 Jun 2025 10:14:10 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250625075018.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250624044322.htm Southern resident killer whales have been caught on drone video crafting kelp tools to groom one another—an unprecedented behavior among marine mammals. This suggests a deeper social and cultural complexity in these endangered whales than scientists previously realized. Tue, 24 Jun 2025 09:44:46 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250624044322.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250624044317.htm Exploration for deep-sea minerals in the Clarion Clipperton Zone threatens to disrupt an unexpectedly rich ecosystem of whales and dolphins. New studies have detected endangered species in the area and warn that mining noise and sediment could devastate marine life that relies heavily on sound. With so little known about these habitats, experts urge immediate assessment of the risks. Tue, 24 Jun 2025 09:07:00 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250624044317.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250607231851.htm Humpback whales have been observed blowing bubble rings during friendly interactions with humans a behavior never before documented. This surprising display may be more than play; it could represent a sophisticated form of non-verbal communication. Scientists from the SETI Institute and UC Davis believe these interactions offer valuable insights into non-human intelligence, potentially helping refine our methods for detecting extraterrestrial life. Their findings underscore the intelligence, curiosity, and social complexity of whales, making them ideal analogues for developing communication models beyond Earth. Sat, 07 Jun 2025 23:18:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250607231851.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124215.htm Scientists analyzed almost 200 cannabis genomes to create the most comprehensive, high-quality, detailed genetic atlas of the plant to date. The atlas reveals unprecedented diversity and complexity within the species, sets the stage for advances in cannabis-based agriculture, medicine, and industry, and builds on a 10,000-year long relationship between humans and cannabis, showing that cannabis can be as important as other crops like corn or wheat. Thu, 29 May 2025 12:42:15 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124215.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527124110.htm Humans were making tools from whale bones as far back as 20,000 years ago, according to a new study. This discovery broadens our understanding of early human use of whale remains and offers valuable insight into the marine ecology of the time. Tue, 27 May 2025 12:41:10 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527124110.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520012829.htm Humpback whales are not always born in tropical waters, new research has shown -- challenging long-held assumptions about their breeding and migration behaviors, while raising new questions for marine conservation. Tue, 20 May 2025 01:28:29 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520012829.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505121426.htm Endemic to China's Yangtze River, the Yangtze finless porpoise is known for its intelligence and charismatic appearance; it looks like it has a perpetual smile on its face. To track how this critically endangered porpoise's habitat range has changed over time, a team of biodiversity and conservation experts compiled 724 ancient Chinese poems referencing the porpoise from historic collections across China. Their results show that the porpoise's range has decreased by at least 65% over the past 1,400 years, with the majority of this decline occurring in the past century. Mon, 05 May 2025 12:14:26 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505121426.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142551.htm A good wildlife management plan must include information on their migratory processes if the conservation of a species, particularly an endangered species, is to be improved. In the marine environment, for example, regulating fishing activity in certain wintering areas could improve and complement conservation and protection measures carried out on the breeding grounds. Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:25:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142551.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428220434.htm New research questions the evolutionary history of some of our most peculiar mammals. Mon, 28 Apr 2025 22:04:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428220434.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423164234.htm Researchers discovered tiny features on sculpins' fins which may enable them to cling firmly in harsh underwater environments. Wed, 23 Apr 2025 16:42:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423164234.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409114707.htm Could it be that one of only three known markers directly targeting the DNA does not exist outside the realm of microbes? Now, researchers have demonstrated that this marker -- N4-methylcytosine (4mC) -- is essential for sperm development and maturation in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha, a key organism in plant evolution. Wed, 09 Apr 2025 11:47:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409114707.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250320195313.htm A new study has discovered that birds in the Galapagos Islands are changing their behavior due to traffic noise, with those frequently exposed to vehicles showing heightened levels of aggression. During trials involving traffic noise, Galapagos yellow warblers (Setophaga petechia aureola) increased the duration of their songs, increased the minimum frequencies of their songs (to reduce overlap with the traffic noise), and birds living close to roads displayed increased physical aggression. Thu, 20 Mar 2025 19:53:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250320195313.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250318141354.htm Researchers have mapped the long-range synaptic connections involved in vocal learning in zebra finches, uncovering new details about how the brain organises learned vocalisations such as birdsong. Tue, 18 Mar 2025 14:13:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250318141354.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250317160458.htm Ancient DNA shows an endangered dove species endemic to Cuba is more genetically distinct than the dodo was before it died out. Mon, 17 Mar 2025 16:04:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250317160458.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250310134206.htm Scientists have discovered that whales move nutrients thousands of miles -- in their urine -- from as far as Alaska to Hawaii. These tons of nitrogen support the health of tropical ecosystems and fish, where nitrogen can be limited. They call this movement of nutrients a 'conveyor belt' or 'the great whale pee funnel.' In some places, like Hawaii, the input of nutrients from whales is bigger than from local sources. It's critical to tropical ocean health, therefore, to protect and restore whales. Mon, 10 Mar 2025 13:42:06 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250310134206.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250307125606.htm New research has provided fresh insights into how bird songs evolve over time, revealing a significant role for population dynamics in shaping song diversity and change. The findings are based on an analysis of over 100,000 bird songs. Fri, 07 Mar 2025 12:56:06 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250307125606.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250304203826.htm Killer whale populations in low latitudes have high genetic diversity despite having low population densities, as a result of genetic mixing, which plays a crucial role in their survival and resilience. Tue, 04 Mar 2025 20:38:26 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250304203826.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250303191259.htm A research team has uncovered how a naturally occurring biological mechanism found in mammals is able to prevent sperm cells from interacting with an egg, preventing fertilization. The discovery, identified in rodent models, offers a new path for scientific research to help people grappling with infertility issues, while also opening a new line of study for developing contraceptive therapies. Mon, 03 Mar 2025 19:12:59 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250303191259.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250228113950.htm Using drones, 17 distinct behaviors of narwhals were captured in the wild. Findings reveal complex behaviors of the Arctic's iconic whale never seen before. This highly gregarious whale uses its tusk to investigate, manipulate and influence the behavior of a fish, the Arctic char. The study also provides the first evidence of play, specifically exploratory-object play, and the first reports of kleptoparasitism, a 'food thief' situation, among narwhals and glaucous gulls. Fri, 28 Feb 2025 11:39:50 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250228113950.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250226142610.htm Eavesdropping on baleen whale songs in the Pacific Ocean reveals year-to-year variations that track changes in the availability of the species they forage on, according to a new study. Wed, 26 Feb 2025 14:26:10 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250226142610.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250221171337.htm Using underwater microphones and machine learning (ML), researchers have developed a new method to estimate North Atlantic right whale numbers -- offering a potentially safer and more cost-effective way to monitor this critically endangered species. Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:13:37 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250221171337.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250221125301.htm Only two births of a blue whale have ever been recorded. Mother and calf pairs are also sighted much more rarely than might be expected. The reason, new research suggests, has to do with where and when blue whales spend their first months of life. Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:53:01 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250221125301.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250214003223.htm The Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) and NTT Research, Inc., a division of NTT, announced the publication of research showing an application of machine-learning directed optimization (ML-DO) that efficiently searches for high-performance design configurations in the context of biohybrid robots. Applying a machine learning approach, the researchers created mini biohybrid rays made of cardiomyocytes (heart muscle cells) and rubber with a wingspan of about 10 mm that are approximately two times more efficient at swimming than those recently developed under a conventional biomimetic approach. Fri, 14 Feb 2025 00:32:23 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250214003223.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250213143600.htm Male fruit flies don't just sing to their mates; they also use sound-cancelling wing-flicks to jockey with rivals. This new understanding of how male flies compete for female partners could shed light on how the brain balances cooperation and competition. Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:36:00 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250213143600.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250211134456.htm Researchers have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that will help predict endangered whale habitat, guiding ships along the Atlantic coast to avoid them. The tool is designed to prevent deadly accidents and inform conservation strategies and responsible ocean development. Tue, 11 Feb 2025 13:44:56 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250211134456.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250206183725.htm New research finds some baleen whale species call at such deep frequencies that they're completely undetectable by killer whales, which cannot hear sounds below 100 hertz. These also tend to be the species of baleen whales that flee in the face of attack from killer whales. Thu, 06 Feb 2025 18:37:25 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250206183725.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250206113316.htm A recent theory proposes that whales weren't just predators in the ocean environment: Nutrients that whales excreted may have provided a key fertilizer to these marine ecosystems. Oceanographers now find that whale excrement contains significant amounts of iron, a vital element that is often scarce in ocean ecosystems, and nontoxic forms of copper, another essential nutrient that in some forms can harm life. Thu, 06 Feb 2025 11:33:16 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250206113316.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250131110701.htm DNA evidence has confirmed killer whales in Australia hunted a white shark for its liver. Based on DNA analysis from the bite wounds on the carcass of a large white shark washed ashore near Portland in Victoria in 2023, the study identified that killer whales were responsible for consuming the mid-section containing the nutritionally rich liver. Fri, 31 Jan 2025 11:07:01 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250131110701.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250123163201.htm Researchers have uncovered which genes on the Y chromosome regulate the development of sperm and impact fertility in male mice. This research could help us understand why some men don't produce enough sperm and are infertile. Thu, 23 Jan 2025 16:32:01 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250123163201.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250122130047.htm Porous land such as foliage significantly lowers noise made by drones and air taxis which could reduce disturbances for urban communities as Urban Air Mobility (UAM) grows. Wed, 22 Jan 2025 13:00:47 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250122130047.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250121210507.htm Juvenile dolphins were found to have specialized receptors for fatty acids on their tongues, offering new insights into their growth and feeding habits. Tue, 21 Jan 2025 21:05:07 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250121210507.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241220153513.htm New research reveals that right whales can survive for more than 130 years -- almost twice as long as previously understood. Fri, 20 Dec 2024 15:35:13 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241220153513.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241217201533.htm Biologists used drone imagery to understand how nursing humpback whale mothers and their calves fare as they cross the Pacific Ocean. Recent declines in North Pacific humpback whale reproduction and survival of calves highlight the need to understand how mother-calf pairs expend energy across their migratory cycle. Tue, 17 Dec 2024 20:15:33 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241217201533.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241212120224.htm Researchers have uncovered in anglerfish a specialized motor neuron population for the first dorsal fin used for 'fishing'. When the first dorsal fin evolved from a swimming and buoyancy aid to a hunting tool, the motor neurons shifted their position in the central nervous system. The findings have implications for understanding the potential of evolutionary processes of vertebrates, including humans. Thu, 12 Dec 2024 12:02:24 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241212120224.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241206112054.htm Non-native species introduced by humans are among the main causes of global species decline -- they were partly responsible for 60 percent of the species that have become extinct worldwide in recent decades. In Central Europe, non-native mammals include species such as the Norway rat, the mouflon and the mink. Now a study shows that some of these species introduced by humans are themselves endangered in their native range. Fri, 06 Dec 2024 11:20:54 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241206112054.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241121165445.htm Scientists have presented work examining the circumstances surrounding the whale deaths off the coast of New Jersey in the winter of 2022-23, which prompted concern that survey work in the area somehow contributed to their deaths. The Marine Mammal Commission has stated there is no evidence linking the whales' deaths to wind energy development; many of them died from collisions with ships. Researchers, however, are concerned that the increased presence of survey ships in and around New Jersey waters may have exacerbated the situation. Thu, 21 Nov 2024 16:54:45 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241121165445.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241121141110.htm A new study has quantified the risk for whale-ship collisions worldwide for four geographically widespread ocean giants that are threatened by shipping: blue, fin, humpback and sperm whales. Researchers report that global shipping traffic overlaps with about 92% of these whale species' ranges. Only about 7% of areas at highest risk for whale-ship collisions have any measures in place to protect whales from this threat. These measures include speed reductions, both mandatory and voluntary, for ships crossing waters that overlap with whale migration or feeding areas. Thu, 21 Nov 2024 14:11:10 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241121141110.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241115124726.htm Hunted nearly to extinction during 20th century whaling, the Antarctic blue whale, the world's largest animal, went from a population size of roughly 200,000 to little more than 300. The most recent estimate in 2004 put Antarctic blue whales at less than 1% of their pre-whaling levels. A new study shows that, though these whales feed in different ocean basins, they appear to be a single population, information that will help conservation efforts moving forward. Fri, 15 Nov 2024 12:47:26 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241115124726.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241031151718.htm Today, a research team has proposed a new reinforcement learning framework with autonomous drones to find sperm whales and predict where they will surface. Thu, 31 Oct 2024 15:17:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241031151718.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241029203003.htm Paleobiologists have found that the sinuses of ocean dwelling relatives of modern-day crocodiles prevented them from evolving into deep divers like whales and dolphins. Tue, 29 Oct 2024 20:30:03 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241029203003.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241025141605.htm Researchers reveal new insights into the complex evolutionary history behind the distinctive upright posture of modern placental and marsupial mammals, showing the transition was surprisingly complex and nonlinear, and occurred much later than previously believed. Fri, 25 Oct 2024 14:16:05 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241025141605.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241023171541.htm Scientists have directly measured the behavioral responses of some of the most common marine mammals to military sonar. And the finding that surprised them most was that these animals were sensitive to the sounds at much lower levels than previously predicted. Wed, 23 Oct 2024 17:15:41 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241023171541.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241017113902.htm To whales that hunt with soundwaves in lightless ocean depths, a torn plastic party balloon and a delicious squid may appear remarkably similar, according to a study. Underwater acoustic testing with pieces of beach plastic showed that the trash almost always sounded like food, especially plastic films and fragments of plastic, two particularly noisy items that are most often found inside dead whales. Thu, 17 Oct 2024 11:39:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241017113902.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241017113845.htm U.S. researchers have detected microplastic particles in air exhaled by wild bottlenose dolphins, suggesting that inhalation may be a relevant route of exposure to these potentially harmful contaminants. Thu, 17 Oct 2024 11:38:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241017113845.htm