Are There Ocean Animals That Make Noise at Sunrise Like Roosters?

Question: "Are there "ocean roosters" that make noise when the sun rises?" -The Huges family, Washington, DC

Answer: Yes! Marine animals make all kinds of noises, and many make noise right when it starts to get light out. Just like with birds, we call it “the dawn chorus." (You can listen to what this sounds like here.).

The ocean soundscape isn’t just whalesong and snapping shrimp. There are more than 800 species of fishes known to make some kind of noise, sometimes by grinding their teeth, sometimes by slapping their fins, and sometimes by using special organs just for the purpose of making noise. Some fishes, like croaker and drums, even get their common names due to this behavior!

Why do marine animals make noise? Lots of reasons! Listening for a specific sound that only your species makes can be a great way to find a mate in a crowded, busy environment. The right noise can also be an effective way to frighten off potential competitors or predators, or to warn members of your school to an approaching threat. Listening for the sounds of a busy reef can even direct larvae where to settle.

Unfortunately, all the extra noise that humans put into the marine environment—such as cargo ships or drilling for oil—makes it harder for marine animals to communicate with one another. Imagine trying to have every conversation at a busy restaurant or concert! This can make it more difficult for animals to find a mate or sense a predator approaching. Humans have made less noise in the ocean during the COVID pandemic, allowing scientists the chance to start unravelling how all this excess volume impacts ocean life.

Ask a Marine Biologist is a monthly column where Dr. David Shiffman answers your questions about the underwater world. Topics are chosen from reader-submitted queries as well as data from common internet searches. If you have a question you’d like answered in a future Ask a Marine Biologist column, or if you have a question about the answer given in this column, email Shiffman at WhySharksMatter@gmail.com with subject line “Ask a marine biologist.”

Dr. David Shiffman is a marine conservation biologist specializing in the ecology and conservation of sharks. An award-winning public science educator, David has spoken to thousands of people around the world about marine biology and conservation and has bylines with the Washington Post, Scientific American, New Scientist, Gizmodo and more. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, where he’s always happy to answer any questions about sharks.

The views expressed in this article are those of David Shiffman, and not necessarily the views of Sport Diver or Scuba Diving magazines.