The Sound of Life Underwater

Most people think the ocean is a quiet place, but it is actually full of sound.

Hundreds of different animals produce noises under the water every single day.

Whales are famous for their long, beautiful songs, which can travel thousands of kilometres through the ocean.

These songs help whales find each other and communicate across very great distances.

Dolphins make a series of rapid clicking sounds to locate objects and other animals around them.

This process, called echolocation, works like a kind of natural sonar system.

Even small creatures contribute to the [ocean's] soundtrack.

Snapping shrimps create one of the loudest sounds in the sea by closing their claws very quickly.

Many types of fish produce low grunting noises, especially during the breeding season.

Sound actually travels about four times faster in water than it does in air.

This means underwater animals can communicate over much greater distances than land animals can.

However, noise from ships, sonar systems, and construction is getting louder every year.

This extra noise makes it harder for sea animals to hear each other clearly.

Scientists are working to reduce human noise so ocean animals can communicate freely.