The population of North Atlantic right whales is lower than 400, and a noisier environment, from shipping and other human-made sounds, could affect the whales’ ability to communicate, find mates, and reproduce. Having to call louder could affect the whales in other ways as well. Calling louder takes more energy. It might also distort the meaning of the call—that is, what it sounds like to other whales. (Photo by Doug Nowacek)[back]
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