Here are two underwater recordings made by dolphin researcher Pieter Arend Folkens. The first is of a pod of killer whales -- the largest members of the dolphin family -- off the coast of Alaska. The second is of a group of bottlenose dolphins in the Sea of Cortez.
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Listen to killer whales. (MP3)This is a small pod of killer whales, including a calf. The clicking sounds you hear are echolocation -- the animals are sending out signals to see what's around them. Echolocation begins with a series of clicks that accelerates into almost a buzz. You'll also hear grunts, burps and squiggles, which serve as "conversation." Finally, you'll hear a repetition of a whistle, which is likely the signature social call of this particular pod.
You are hearing the sounds of a tightly knit pod of dolphins carrying on a "conversation" of squeaks and whistles. It's not unlike being in the middle of a meeting hall during a family reunion. Everyone is talking. In this case, it's hard to distinguish any one voice, but there's no question that a lot of conversation is going on. The whistles and squeaks are typical dolphin exchanges. |
 |  Using its sonar, a dolphin can find a single BB dropped into the opposite end of a 70-foot pool. |  |
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Audio: Pieter Folkens |
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