coda

whale communication

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July 22, 2026

Quick Summary

The term "coda" has multiple meanings. In music, it is a concluding section of a composition, often extending or elaborating on earlier themes. It can be brief or substantial and sometimes incorporates subdominant harmony. A "codetta" is a short conclusion.12

Separately, "coda" also refers to whale communication. Whales use vocalizations like clicks, whistles, and songs for various purposes. Baleen whales, such as humpbacks, use their larynx to produce low-frequency sounds for communication, navigation, and mating rituals. Toothed whales, including dolphins and sperm whales, use nasal passages to create high-frequency clicks for echolocation and communication. Sperm whales produce "codas," which are strings of clicks that may function as a form of phonetic communication, with variations in tempo and added clicks.345

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sperm whale
…a series of clicks called codas and that each coda has a distinct purpose. They note that slight coda differences exist between sperm whale communities and that sperm whales have developed regional accents and dialects. In addition, there is some evidence that pods that have developed defensive behaviours that allow…
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…a series of clicks called codas and that each coda has a distinct purpose. They note that slight coda differences exist between sperm whale communities and that sperm whales have developed regional accents and dialects. In addition, there is some evidence that pods that have developed defensive behaviours that allow…
Read More