Seals Distinguish Calls of Whales, Study Finds

Harbor seals can discriminate between calls of peaceful orcas and ones that would devour them for dinner, scientists in Canada and Scotland reported in Thursday’s issue of the journal Nature. The animals’ discriminating ears were revealed in experiments in the waters off British Columbia. The seals were played recordings of different orca calls, and the scientists watched their responses.

When the calls were of harmless fish-eating orcas, the seals seemed indifferent. But when the calls were of orcas that relish seal meat, the seals moved from the water surface (where they were more visible) and swam further away from the sound.

The seals were also wary of recordings of harmless but unfamiliar orcas that live in Alaskan waters. The scientists conclude that harbor seals have evolved to err on the side of caution, but can eventually learn when a call is not a threat.