A team of researchers in Dominica have discovered that sperm whales may use a set of sounds called clicks to communicate with each other. These rapid clicks are used by many whales and dolphins as echolocation to track prey. Scientists believe that these clicks could form a phonetic alphabet that whales use to communicate with one another.

In a recent study published in Nature Communications, researchers analyzed over 8,700 fragments of sperm whale clicks, known as codas, and identified four basic elements that make up this phonetic alphabet. Lead researcher Pratyusha Sharma suggested that whales could use this alphabet in endless combinations, giving them access to a vast communication system similar to a large dictionary.

Sperm whales are unique in their communication patterns due to their large brain size and matriarchal social structure, which is made up of about 10 individuals. They can grow up to 18 meters long and dive nearly a thousand meters to hunt squid. To better understand these ocean giants, scientists in Dominica set up an underwater recording studio with microphones at different depths to capture whale clicks and study their communication patterns.

The study of sperm whale communication systems has the potential to reveal parallels with human language and society. Sperm whales are classified as vulnerable, so understanding their communication patterns could contribute greatly to conservation efforts. This research represents a promising step in unraveling the mysteries of whale language and how they interact with one another in the deep ocean.