Do sperm whales have a culture?

Differences in patterned clicks of sperm whale communication may lean towards culture rather than genetics. Findings could influence conservation efforts; instead of solely focusing on the animals’ habitat, protection should also consider which dialect they use.

Photo & Video

Researchers have discovered that differences in the patterned clicks of sperm whale communication may lean towards culture rather than genetics. A study published in Behaviour Genetics suggests that sperm whale groups are made up of individuals that use the same dialect, rather than those that come from a similar area of the Pacific.

Our Own Backyard

The editorial introduces X-Ray Mag’s Sweden-themed issue, highlighting Scandinavian diving, Baltic wrecks and the region’s distinctive underwater heritage.

Op'eds and commentaries

The theme of this issue is something that we have wanted to do for a very long time.

While the team behind X-RAY MAG is truly international, spanning several continents from Catherine GS Lim in the East, who faithfully and solidly takes care of our business out of Singapore, to Barb Roy in Canada, the tech-diving grandma of British Columbia, and all our other wonderful editors in the times zones in between, our founding editor-in-chief, Peter Symes, is a native Copenhagener of British-Scandinavian heritage.

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