The Lonely Whale: No Myth

On our last episode, “Swamplandia!” author Karen Russell told us about a lonely whale with vocal problems whose love song supposedly chases lady whales away. Neither we nor Karen could verify the story’s authenticity at the time… but it turns out it’s true (sort of)(sadly).

According to a New York Times article from 2004, scientists have been sonically tracking the whale since 1992 due to its strange song. Nicknamed “The 52 Hertz Whale,” the creature sings at such a low high frequency that other whales apparently don’t respond to it. Not just female whales — any whales. So it’s been moping around the ocean for years, all by itself. Says researcher Kate Stafford of The National Marine Mammal Lab: “He’s saying, ‘Hey I’m out here.’ Well, nobody is phoning home.”

Here’s another article about the lonely misfit whale. Apparently not only is its song indecipherable to other whales, it also doesn’t follow the typical migration pattern of its species, making it even less likely to make any buddies. The good news for science, though, is that because this one whale’s song is totally different than any other whale’s, it’s easy to track it and hear how its voice changes over time. So now we know, for instance, that a whale’s voice gets deeper as it ages. Fat lot of good that does for the sad, sad whale, though, who would probably give anything for just one hug. :(

(Thanks to listener Ron Strelecki for the research)

Discussion
17 Comments
  • Ron Strelecki02/21/11 2:55 PM

    It’s actually a “squeaky” voice as the other males are in the 20hz region for this type of song. This whale is about an octave and a fifth higher.

    Respond to Ron Strelecki
    RicoResponding to Ron Strelecki
    02/21/11 3:46 PM

    Ah! I just assumed since the Times described the misfit whale’s song as “basso profundo” that that was the case in comparison to other whales’ songs too. I’ve amended the post, and hope the whale finds a friend who thinks high squeaky voices are endearing.

    Respond to Rico
  • Kitten02/24/11 8:18 AM

    I’d point out that now we know (from the evidence in this case, solely) that this whale’s voice gets deeper with age. Since it’s so different from other whales, I don’t think it’s reasonable to say that we can draw conclusions about other whales based on what happens to this one. The poor guy.

    Respond to Kitten
    RicoResponding to Kitten
    02/24/11 11:22 AM

    So Kitten, you’re saying even this one small possible upside to the whole sorry tale… is actually not an upside? I can’t take it.

    Respond to Rico
  • larae byam02/25/11 3:18 AM

    Oh my god , its my soulmate finally where is he? I must meet this subspecies. no one hears my song either or calls, lol!!!

    Respond to larae byam
    AmandaResponding to larae byam
    03/17/11 10:38 AM

    LOL good stuff

    Respond to Amanda
  • larae byam02/25/11 3:22 AM

    Rico, I feel ya!

    Respond to larae byam
  • vivzizi02/25/11 1:24 PM

    On Facebook no ones knows you are a whale with a high pitched voice.

    vivzizi

    Respond to vivzizi
  • Sallie Ann 02/28/11 6:22 PM

    Just listened to your podcast and was going to send this link - http://www.technology.am/the-story-of-the-lonely-whale-will-break-your-heart-video-130000.html. Such a sad story.

    Respond to Sallie Ann
  • Wendy03/11/11 10:45 AM

    IF HIS VOICE GETS LOWER WITH AGE - DOES HIS PITCH ALSO GET LOWER ? MAYBE IT’S ANOTHER ABRAHAM & SARAH MIRACLE CONCEPTION SITUATION & HE WILL WOO HIS WOMAN AT 100 YEARS OF AGE ???

    Respond to Wendy
  • Charles Furer04/12/11 6:26 AM

    There are 10 of these whales on every corner of the Earth. Let’s say “hello” more often.

    Respond to Charles Furer
  • Krysta08/13/11 10:58 PM

    Has no one ever tries to attach a sound box to this animal that emits a normal frequency whale call? Has no one tried anything to help this animal? Sad story, so glad I now know about another sad thin gin the world. Geez.

    Respond to Krysta
    RicoResponding to Krysta
    08/15/11 12:47 PM

    That’s a lovely idea, Krysta, but I’m not sure anyone has actually ever seen this whale. They use special equipment from far away to hear its voice, and since it’s at such an odd frequency it’s easy to single it out among other whale’s songs. But I’m not sure they’ve ever pinpointed its exact position, though since they have some idea of its migration patterns they must have a general idea of its location…

    Respond to Rico
    jadeResponding to Rico
    09/16/11 11:21 AM

    so they have never even SEEN the whale? that makes it all the more sad!!!

    Respond to jade
  • sarahbrown01/15/12 6:45 PM

    “Just imagine that massive mammal, floating alone and singing—too big to connect with most of the beings it passes, feeling paradoxically small in the vast stretches of empty, open ocean.”

    http://www.good.is/post/the-loneliest-whale-in-the-world/

    Respond to sarahbrown
  • Mohamed04/11/12 2:18 PM

    Does it have a name??

    Respond to Mohamed
    RicoResponding to Mohamed
    04/11/12 2:23 PM

    Well, researchers apparently call it “The 52 Hertz Whale,” but if he were my whale I would name him Oliver.

    Respond to Rico





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