Recent social media buzz has reignited interest in the astonishing ability of whales to mimic human speech, sparking both fascination and fear among viewers.
A 2012 video featuring a beluga whale attempting to imitate human sounds has resurfaced, leaving many viewers unsettled. While the whale appears cute and friendly in the clip, the online reaction has been predominantly one of terror.
Comments range from humorous to anxious, with one user noting that the whale's image seemed to suggest a supernatural threat, stating, "I will consume your soul." Another remarked on the dissonance between the whale's friendly appearance and the eerie sounds it produces.
This phenomenon is not isolated. Earlier this year, a recording of an orca imitating human speech from 2018 also gained attention. This study, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society: Biological Sciences, revealed that orcas are capable of mimicking human language.
Professor Josep Call from the University of St Andrews, who co-authored the study, explained that this ability indicates a level of vocal flexibility previously unseen in marine mammals. He noted that orcas can not only imitate sounds but also body movements, demonstrating their advanced learning capabilities.
These discoveries challenge our understanding of animal communication and highlight the complex interactions between humans and marine life.