Scientists capture sharks making noise—challenging a century of silence

Scientists have recorded sharks making noise for the first time, upending long-held assumptions about these silent predators. The discovery came after juvenile rig sharks were heard producing sharp clicking sounds while being handled underwater. These noises, reaching volumes as loud as a gunshot, suggest a previously unknown form of shark behaviour. Researchers observed that around 70% of the clicks happened as the sharks moved calmly, their bodies swaying gently. The remaining sounds occurred without any obvious movement. The clicks, measured at over 155 decibels, far exceed the low-frequency hearing range sharks typically use. This suggests the noises may not be meant for communication between sharks.

Rig sharks (Mustelus lenticulatus) appear to generate the clicks, possibly by snapping their teeth, though the exact mechanism remains unclear. Similar clicking sounds have been documented in rays and skates—close relatives of sharks—when disturbed by divers. The findings hint that shark 'talk' could be far more widespread than previously thought. This breakthrough challenges over a century of scientific belief that sharks are silent creatures. It also raises questions about other undiscovered forms of underwater communication lurking in the ocean.

The discovery of clicking sharks opens fresh research paths in marine biology. Scientists now have a new angle to explore shark behaviour and the broader world of underwater sound. Further study could reveal whether other shark species produce similar noises—and what purpose they serve.