Whales use ‘phonic lips’ in nose to make loudest sounds of any animal, say scientists

Researchers solve puzzle of how animal generates enough air flow 1,000 metres under water, where pressure is 100 times that at surface

The question of how the whale got its voice has been solved by scientists, who have discovered how the creatures use “phonic lips” in their nose to produce the loudest sounds in the animal kingdom.

The research also reveals that toothed whales, a group that includes killer whales, sperm whales, dolphins and porpoises, use three vocal registers equivalent to vocal fry (a low creaky voice), a normal speaking voice and falsetto.