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Edmonton Journal
an hour ago
- Science
- Edmonton Journal
Leopard seals sing 'otherworldly' love songs akin to nursery rhymes, study finds
Article content When male leopard seals dive down into icy Antarctic waters, they sing songs structured like nursery rhymes in performances that can last up to 13 hours, scientists said Thursday. Article content The Australian-led team of researchers compared the complexity of the songs composed by the big blubbery mammals to those of other animals — as well as human musicians like the Beatles and Mozart. Article content Article content Article content Lucinda Chambers, a bioacoustics PhD student at Australia's University of New South Wales, told AFP that people are often surprised when they hear the 'otherworldly' hoots and trills sung by leopard seals. Article content 'It kind of sounds like sound effects from an '80s sci-fi' movie, said the lead author of a new study in the journal Scientific Reports. Article content During the spring breeding season, male leopard seals dive underwater and perform their songs for two minutes before returning to the surface for air. They then repeat this performance for up to 13 hours a day, according to the study. Article content The researchers determined that all leopard seals share the same set of five 'notes' which are impossible to distinguish between individuals. Article content However, each seal arranges these notes in a unique way to compose their own personal song. Article content Article content 'We theorize that they're using that structure as a way to broadcast their individual identity, kind of like shouting their name out into the void,' Chambers said. Article content Article content The researchers believe the males use these songs to woo potential female mates — and ward off rivals. Article content 'Songbirds of the Southern Ocean' Article content The team studied recordings of 26 seals captured by study co-author Tracey Rogers off the coast of Eastern Antarctica throughout the 1990s. Article content 'They're like the songbirds of the Southern Ocean,' Rogers, who is also from the University of New South Wales, said in a statement. Article content 'During the breeding season, if you drop a hydrophone into the water anywhere in the region, you'll hear them singing.' Article content The team analyzed how random the seals' sequences of notes were, finding that their songs were less predictable than the calls of humpback whales or the whistles of dolphins.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Seals sing 'otherworldly' songs structured like nursery rhymes
When male leopard seals dive down into icy Antarctic waters, they sing songs structured like nursery rhymes in performances that can last up to 13 hours, scientists said Thursday. The Australian-led team of researchers compared the complexity of the songs composed by the big blubbery mammals to those of other animals -- as well as human musicians like the Beatles and Mozart. Lucinda Chambers, a bioacoustics PhD student at Australia's University of New South Wales, told AFP that people are often surprised when they hear the "otherworldly" hoots and trills sung by leopard seals. "It kind of sounds like sound effects from an '80s sci-fi" movie, said the lead author of a new study in the journal Scientific Reports. During the spring breeding season, male leopard seals dive underwater and perform their songs for two minutes before returning to the surface for air. They then repeat this performance for up to 13 hours a day, according to the study. The researchers determined that all leopard seals share the same set of five "notes" which are impossible to distinguish between individuals. However each seal arranges these notes in a unique way to compose their own personal song. "We theorise that they're using that structure as a way to broadcast their individual identity, kind of like shouting their name out into the void," Chambers said. The researchers believe the males use these songs to woo potential female mates -- and ward off rivals. - 'Songbirds of the ocean' - The team studied recordings of 26 seals captured by study co-author Tracey Rogers off the coast of Eastern Antarctica throughout the 1990s. "They're like the songbirds of the Southern Ocean," Rogers, who is also from the University of New South Wales, said in a statement. "During the breeding season, if you drop a hydrophone into the water anywhere in the region, you'll hear them singing." The team analysed how random the seals' sequences of notes were, finding that their songs were less predictable than the calls of humpback whales or the whistles of dolphins. But they were still more predictable than the more complex music of the Beatles or Mozart. "They fall into the ballpark of human nursery rhymes," Chambers said. This made sense, because the songs need to be simple enough so that each seal can remember their composition to perform it every day, she explained. She compared it to how "nursery rhymes have to be predictable enough that a child can memorise them". But each seal song also needs to be unpredictable enough to stand out from those of the other males. Leopard seals, which are the apex predator in Antarctic waters, swim alone and cover vast distances. They likely evolved their particular kind of song so that their message travels long distances, the researchers theorised. Varying pitch or frequency might not travel as far in their environment, Chambers said. Female seals also sing sometimes, though the scientists do not know why. Chambers suggested it could be to teach their pups how to sing -- exactly how this talent is passed down is also a mystery. But she added that this behaviour has never been observed in the wild. The females could also just be communicating with each other, she said. dl/ach Solve the daily Crossword
Vancouver Sun
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
Leopard seals sing 'otherworldly' love songs akin to nursery rhymes, study finds
When male leopard seals dive down into icy Antarctic waters, they sing songs structured like nursery rhymes in performances that can last up to 13 hours, scientists said Thursday. The Australian-led team of researchers compared the complexity of the songs composed by the big blubbery mammals to those of other animals — as well as human musicians like the Beatles and Mozart. Lucinda Chambers, a bioacoustics PhD student at Australia's University of New South Wales, told AFP that people are often surprised when they hear the 'otherworldly' hoots and trills sung by leopard seals. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'It kind of sounds like sound effects from an '80s sci-fi' movie, said the lead author of a new study in the journal Scientific Reports. During the spring breeding season, male leopard seals dive underwater and perform their songs for two minutes before returning to the surface for air. They then repeat this performance for up to 13 hours a day, according to the study. The researchers determined that all leopard seals share the same set of five 'notes' which are impossible to distinguish between individuals. However, each seal arranges these notes in a unique way to compose their own personal song. 'We theorize that they're using that structure as a way to broadcast their individual identity, kind of like shouting their name out into the void,' Chambers said. The researchers believe the males use these songs to woo potential female mates — and ward off rivals. 'Songbirds of the Southern Ocean' The team studied recordings of 26 seals captured by study co-author Tracey Rogers off the coast of Eastern Antarctica throughout the 1990s. 'They're like the songbirds of the Southern Ocean,' Rogers, who is also from the University of New South Wales, said in a statement. 'During the breeding season, if you drop a hydrophone into the water anywhere in the region, you'll hear them singing.' The team analyzed how random the seals' sequences of notes were, finding that their songs were less predictable than the calls of humpback whales or the whistles of dolphins. But they were still more predictable than the more complex music of the Beatles or Mozart. 'They fall into the ballpark of human nursery rhymes,' Chambers said. This made sense, because the songs need to be simple enough so that each seal can remember their composition to perform it every day, she explained. She compared it to how 'nursery rhymes have to be predictable enough that a child can memorize them'. But each seal song also needs to be unpredictable enough to stand out from those of the other males. Leopard seals, which are the apex predators in Antarctic waters, swim alone and cover vast distances. They likely evolved their particular kind of song so that their message travels long distances, the researchers theorized. Varying pitch or frequency might not travel as far in their environment, Chambers said. Female seals also sing sometimes, though the scientists do not know why. Chambers suggested it could be to teach their pups how to sing — exactly how this talent is passed down is also a mystery. But she added that this behaviour has never been observed in the wild. The females could also just be communicating with each other, she said. © 2025 AFP Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Toronto Sun
5 hours ago
- Science
- Toronto Sun
Seals sing 'otherworldly' songs structured like nursery rhymes
Published Jul 31, 2025 • 2 minute read Hello, is it me you're looking for? Male leopard seals sing to woo mates, scientists believe Photo by Juan BARRETO / AFP/File Paris (AFP) — When male leopard seals dive down into icy Antarctic waters, they sing songs structured like nursery rhymes in performances that can last up to 13 hours, scientists said Thursday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Australian-led team of researchers compared the complexity of the songs composed by the big blubbery mammals to those of other animals — as well as human musicians like the Beatles and Mozart. Lucinda Chambers, a bioacoustics PhD student at Australia's University of New South Wales, told AFP that people are often surprised when they hear the 'otherworldly' hoots and trills sung by leopard seals. 'It kind of sounds like sound effects from an '80s sci-fi' movie,' said the lead author of a new study in the journal Scientific Reports. During the spring breeding season, male leopard seals dive underwater and perform their songs for two minutes before returning to the surface for air. They then repeat this performance for up to 13 hours a day, according to the study. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The researchers determined that all leopard seals share the same set of five 'notes' which are impossible to distinguish between individuals. However each seal arranges these notes in a unique way to compose their own personal song. All seals share the same five 'notes', which include hoots and trills, but structure them in their own unique way. (JUAN BARRETO/AFP/File) Photo by JUAN BARRETO / AFP/File 'We theorize that they're using that structure as a way to broadcast their individual identity, kind of like shouting their name out into the void,' Chambers said. The researchers believe the males use these songs to woo potential female mates — and ward off rivals. 'Songbirds of the ocean' The team studied recordings of 26 seals captured by study co-author Tracey Rogers off the coast of Eastern Antarctica throughout the 1990s. 'They're like the songbirds of the Southern Ocean,' Rogers, who is also from the University of New South Wales, said in a statement. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'During the breeding season, if you drop a hydrophone into the water anywhere in the region, you'll hear them singing.' The team analyzed how random the seals' sequences of notes were, finding that their songs were less predictable than the calls of humpback whales or the whistles of dolphins. But they were still more predictable than the more complex music of the Beatles or Mozart. 'They fall into the ballpark of human nursery rhymes,' Chambers said. This made sense, because the songs need to be simple enough so that each seal can remember their composition to perform it every day, she explained. She compared it to how 'nursery rhymes have to be predictable enough that a child can memorize them'. But each seal song also needs to be unpredictable enough to stand out from those of the other males. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Leopard seals, which are the apex predator in Antarctic waters, swim alone and cover vast distances. They likely evolved their particular kind of song so that their message travels long distances, the researchers theorized. Varying pitch or frequency might not travel as far in their environment, Chambers said. Female seals also sing sometimes, though the scientists do not know why. Chambers suggested it could be to teach their pups how to sing — exactly how this talent is passed down is also a mystery. But she added that this behaviour has never been observed in the wild. The females could also just be communicating with each other, she said. Toronto & GTA Columnists Canada Toronto Blue Jays Celebrity
Sydney Morning Herald
23-07-2025
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
Could cannabis and psychedelics help treat eating disorders?
An international survey into non-prescribed drug use has made a surprising link between cannabis, psychedelics and treating eating disorders. The Australian-led survey of 7600 self-selected respondents across 83 countries has revealed that cannabis and some psychedelic drugs, including 'magic mushrooms' and LSD, were the most effective among self-medicated, non-prescription drugs for alleviating symptoms associated with illnesses including anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge eating. Published in JAMA Network Open this week, the research has been led by PhD student Sarah-Catherine Rodan at the University of Sydney's Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics. Professor Iain McGregor, academic director of the Lambert Initiative, is senior author on the paper. About 1 million Australians live with an eating disorder, and almost one-third of adolescents in this country engage in disordered eating in any given year, according to National Eating Disorders Collaboration. They are notoriously difficult to treat and, according to the Butterfly Foundation, have the highest mortality rates of all psychiatric disorders. Rodan says the study found that beyond cannabis's reputation for stimulating appetite, it offered a variety of potential benefits to users suffering from illnesses such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder. Loading 'Cannabis has mood-elevating, anxiety-reducing gastroprotective and anti-nausea properties,' she says. 'Patients with avoidant/restrictive feeding intake disorder and anorexia nervosa report symptoms of anxiety and related abdominal pain and nausea, which can reduce appetite and exacerbate disordered eating. 'Cannabis also has anxiolytic properties and may reduce food-related anxiety and guilt.' The survey also investigated ways participants were ingesting drugs, which affected the positive or negative outcomes.
