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Humpback Whales Sing a New Tune

If you cruise with us aboard the Star of Honolulu, you might learn from one of our certified Naturalists about the Humpback whales’ song. Humpbacks are known for their mystical songs, which can travel impressive distances underwater and continue for hours and hours. But how much do people know about how and why these songs are sung?

In the last couple of years, scientists have made great advancements in understanding the mysterious noises that Humpback whales make and how they change over time. Contrary to what many people believe, whales sing a new tune every few years. Scientists have found that, while all of the male Humpbacks in a pod sing the same song, over time they begin to adopt new songs from migrating whales nearby. The Humpback song, then, seems to spread gradually, with Humpbacks learning a new tune in a similar way that humans do!

What remains a mystery: why do Humpback whales make these noises? We may never know!

Learn other fun facts about Humpback whales from our certified Naturalists! To book a whale watch cruise today, call (808) 983-STAR (7827) or visit www.StarofHonolulu.com.