为什么白鲸软绵绵的脑袋如此特别

为什么白鲸软绵绵的脑袋如此特别

Belugas are small white whales known as the "canaries of the sea" for the wide range of vocal sounds they make. They produce an impressive collection of clicks, chirrups, squeaks, whistles and bleats.

白鲸是一种被称为“海洋金丝雀”的小型白鲸，因为它们能发出各种各样的声音，它们发出令人印象深刻的咔哒声、唧唧声、吱吱声、口哨声和呜呜声。

As the BBC points out, belugas make all these sounds despite having no vocal cords. Instead they "speak" through nasal sacs located around their blowhole.

正如BBC所指出的，白鲸虽然没有声带，却能发出所有这些声音。事实上，它们通过位于气孔周围的鼻囊“说话”。

These Arctic whales are also known for the distinctive rounded structure on the top of their forehead. Called a "melon," the bulbous structure is just in front of the whale's blowhole.

这些北极鲸也因其前额上独特的圆形结构而闻名，这种球状结构被称为“甜瓜”，就在鲸鱼的气孔前面。

The beluga's melon helps direct all the noises it makes. (Photo: CJ Larsen/Shutterstock)

While these whales are talking through their noses, they're able to direct those sounds using their melons. Belugas wiggle their melons to focus sounds in specific directions. During whale vocalizations, researchers have watched melons changed shape, reports Whale and Dolphin Conservation.

当这些鲸鱼通过鼻子“说话”时，它们能够用它们的“甜瓜结构”来指挥这些声音，白鲸摆动着它们的“甜瓜”，把声音集中到特定的方向。据鲸鱼和海豚保护组织报道，在鲸鱼发声的过程中，研究人员观察到瓜的形状发生了变化。

The squishy blob is also believed to be key in helping with ecolocation "clicks," the echoing calls that some animals use to help find and identify objects. According to the Georgia Aquarium, the melon focuses and projects echolocation signals through the water.

这个粘糊糊的团状物也被认为是帮助实现生态定位“点击”的关键，一些动物用这种回声般的叫声来帮助寻找和识别物体。根据乔治亚水族馆的说法，这种瓜能在水中发出回声定位信号。

Because the melon is made of lipids or fatty tissue, it's flexible and can change shape. That allows the beluga to make different facial expressions, reports the World Wildlife Fund.

由于“甜瓜”是由脂质或脂肪组织构成的，所以它很有弹性，可以改变形状。据世界野生动物基金会报道，这使得白鲸可以做出不同的面部表情。

Beluga whales make a series of sounds including chirrups, whistles, squeaks and bleats. (Photo: Elena Yakusheva/Shutterstock)

All toothed whales (not baleen whales) have melons, but only the beluga's melon is squishy with the ability to change shapes.

所有的齿鲸(不是长须鲸)都有瓜，但只有白鲸的瓜是软的，还可以改变形状。

The beluga can change the shape of its melon, which can also change its facial expression. (Photo: Miles Away Photography/Shutterstock)