Deep sea dialogue: Scientists find human-speech patterns in whale codas

London: Sperm whales may have a communication system with more complexity than previously understood. A study published April 15 in Proceedings of the Royal Society B reports that the whales’ short click sequences, called codas, vary in acoustic structure in ways that resemble patterns in human speech.

Scientists have long tracked codas by counting clicks and measuring the timing between them. The new analysis shows that the sounds themselves also shift in tone and texture, adding another layer of information as whales coordinate within their groups.

The findings suggest sperm whale communication could carry more nuanced meaning than the click-count system alone implied. Researchers said the speech-like features point to a sophisticated social structure where individuals exchange detailed signals while diving, foraging, and maintaining group bonds.