New Zealand’s Rig Sharks Break the Silence: A Deep Dive into underwater Communication
March 26, 2025
For decades, the ocean’s depths have held secrets, with marine life communicating in ways we’re only beginning to understand. Now, scientists in New Zealand have uncovered a captivating new piece of the puzzle: rig sharks, a species native to the region, are the first documented sharks actively producing sound.
While over a thousand fish species are known to vocalize for mating rituals or defense, the world of cartilaginous fish, including sharks and rays, has remained largely silent, with evidence only showing their passive use of sound for navigation and hunting. Until now.
A recent study published in Royal Society Open Science details the discovery of rig sharks (Mustelus lenticulatus) producing sharp, clicking sounds, a behavior previously undocumented in sharks. These small sharks, averaging around five feet in length, inhabit the shallow estuaries of New Zealand. Their diet consists mainly of crabs and small crustaceans, making them a food source for larger sharks.
| Shark Type | Location | Sound Produced |
|---|---|---|
| Rig Sharks | New Zealand’s shallow estuaries | Short, sharp clicks |
Consider this a marine version of discovering that squirrels can sing opera. It challenges long-held assumptions about animal communication. The implications for understanding marine ecosystems and the impact of human activities are substantial.
The discovery came about during a study at the Leigh Marine Laboratory in New Zealand, where researchers were handling 10 rig sharks in underwater tanks. “During this brief handling time, rigs were opportunistically observed to produce clicking sounds underwater,” the scientists noted.
The study analyzed the frequency of these clicks, finding that the sharks produced an average of nine clicks every 20 seconds. Interestingly, most of these sounds were accompanied by body movements, suggesting a possible “startle response.” According to the researchers, “Roughly 25 per cent of the clicks co-occurred with an explosive sway (vigorous bending of the head and body from side to side), about 70 per cent co-occurred with calm swaying (slow side to side movements), and 5 per cent of clicks occurred in the absence of any obvious body movements.”
The researchers hypothesize that the sounds are likely produced by the sharks forcefully snapping their flattened teeth.While this is a plausible clarification, further investigation is needed to confirm the exact mechanism.
The implications of this discovery are far-reaching. As the researchers themselves stated, “to the best of our knowledge, this study would be the first to show that sharks can produce sounds.” this opens up new avenues for understanding shark behavior, communication, and their role in the marine ecosystem. It also raises questions about the impact of human-generated noise pollution on these creatures. Noise from shipping, construction, and even recreational boating could potentially interfere with their communication and behavior, similar to how noise pollution affects whales and dolphins.
Despite this groundbreaking finding, many questions remain unanswered. It’s still unclear if the rig sharks can even hear their own clicks. “Further behavioural observations are needed to test this hypothesis and verify whether rigs produce clicks under more natural conditions without human interference,” the scientists concluded.
future research will need to focus on:
- Confirming the exact mechanism of sound production.
- Determining the purpose of the clicks (e.g., defense, communication, navigation).
- Investigating whether rig sharks can sense their own clicks.
- Studying the behavior of rig sharks in their natural surroundings, free from human interference.
While the study took place in New Zealand, the implications extend to shark conservation efforts globally. Sharks are vital to maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems, and understanding their communication methods is crucial for protecting them.
In the United States, several shark species, like the great white and hammerhead, face threats from overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change. Learning more about how sharks communicate can inform conservation strategies, such as establishing marine protected areas and regulating fishing activities. For example, identifying areas where sharks frequently vocalize could lead to the creation of “quiet zones” to minimize noise pollution and protect their communication.
The discovery also highlights the importance of ongoing research into marine life. As technology advances, we are increasingly able to uncover new secrets about the ocean’s inhabitants and their complex interactions. Supporting scientific research and conservation efforts is vital for ensuring the health and sustainability of our oceans for future generations.
One might argue that the clicking sounds observed in the study were merely an artifact of the experimental conditions, caused by the stress of being handled by researchers. While this is a valid concern, the researchers acknowledged this limitation and called for further studies in more natural settings. Additionally, the consistent pattern of clicks and their correlation with specific body movements suggest that the sounds are not simply random occurrences.
Another counterargument could be that the sounds are not used for communication but rather serve some other purpose, such as dislodging parasites or cleaning their teeth.While this possibility cannot be ruled out entirely, the fact that other fish species use sound for communication makes it more likely that the rig sharks are doing the same.
Can fish communicate with each other using clicks?
Interview: Dr. Arin hayes on Rig Shark Sound Production
archyde News: Welcome, Dr. Hayes. Thank you for joining us today. The recent revelation of rig sharks producing sound has sent ripples through the scientific community. Can you tell us a bit about your role in the study?
Dr. Arin Hayes: Thank you for having me. I was one of the led researchers at the Leigh Marine Laboratory in New Zealand. We were fortunate enough to be the first to document sound production in rig sharks, a interesting species native to the region.
Archyde News: This is quite a breakthrough. Before this, it was largely believed that sharks were silent creatures. Can you elaborate on how the sound was detected, and what exactly does it sound like?
Dr. Arin Hayes: We used underwater microphones within the tanks.The sound itself is a series of short, sharp clicks, similar to popping balloons. These clicks lasted about 48 milliseconds each, and we observed an average of nine clicks every 20 seconds during the study.
Archyde news: The article noted that these clicks were frequently enough accompanied by movement. What can you tell us about the potential purpose or function of these sounds?
dr. Arin Hayes: That’s a key area of ongoing research. About 25% of the clicks co-occurred with an “explosive sway”, another 70% with calm swaying, and 5% happened in the absence of movement. the scientists hypothesize that this clicking could be a form of communication, perhaps a startle response, or even related to feeding or social interaction. We’re still exploring the “why” behind these behaviours.”
Archyde News: What are the wider implications of this discovery? How might it effect conservation efforts?
Dr. Arin hayes: This has huge implications for shark conservation. Understanding how sharks communicate can help us protect them. For example, if we can identify the areas were they communicate more frequently, it could help create ‘quiet zones’ to reduce noise pollution from human activity, like shipping, which is impacting these creatures. Globally, this discovery encourages us to think differently about sharks, to observe them more carefully, and to appreciate their complex lives. As sharks are very crucial for a healthy marine ecosystem, this information is extremely critically important for protecting them.
Archyde News: With so manny unanswered questions, what are the next steps in research?
Dr.Arin Hayes: We need to confirm the mechanism. Are they snapping their teeth, as we suspect? Then we need to determine the click’s true purpose. Most importantly, we need to study them in their natural surroundings without human interference to observe the species behavior. We also need to understand if they can even hear their clicking sounds!
Archyde News: Human generated noise is increasing. How might this affect these rig sharks?
Dr. Arin Hayes: It’s a real concern. Noise pollution from boats, construction, or other sources, could interfere with their ability to communicate, socialize, find mates, or even hunt effectively. It’s critical to consider and mitigate the impact of human noise on the marine environment.
Archyde News: Dr. Hayes, what one thing would you like our readers to take away from this groundbreaking discovery?
dr. Arin Hayes: That the ocean is full of surprises and that we are only beginning to understand the complex lives of marine life. It’s a call for continued research, conservation efforts, and to appreciate the wonders of the deep. What do you think rig sharks could be communicating about? Share your thoughts below!
