A shark called the rig can make clicking noises, which was a surprise to scientists. The sounds were discovered by Carolin Nieder during her research on sharks’ hearing in New Zealand. The rig is the first shark known to make intentional sounds that are not linked to feeding or other actions.
To confirm this discovery, Nieder and her team brought juvenile rigs to the lab and found that all of them produced clicking noises when handled. They suspect the sharks make these sounds by snapping their jaws together, possibly as a defense mechanism against predators or to help in hunting.
This finding is significant because it sheds light on a previously overlooked aspect of shark biology. If more sharks are found to produce sounds, these clicks could be used to monitor their populations more effectively. This discovery emphasizes how much we still have to learn about the underwater world.
This new information adds to our understanding of sharks and opens up possibilities for future research in marine biology.
Vocabulary List:
Intended /ɪnˈtɛndɪd/ (adjective): Planned or designed for a specific purpose.
Mechanism /ˈmɛkənɪzəm/ (noun): A process or technique for achieving a result.
Shed /ʃɛd/ (verb): To cast off or remove.
Significant /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/ (adjective): Of great importance or meaning.
Juvenile /ˈdʒuːvənil/ (adjective): Relating to the young or immature form of an organism.
Research /rɪˈsɜːrtʃ/ (noun): The systematic investigation into a subject to discover or revise facts.
