Eduardo Mercado,
Professor, Department of Psychology
University Honors College Fellow

Whales are the only mammals that sing continuously for ten hours or more, and they do so loudly even when no listeners are nearby. They also change the songs they sing each year, and may have been doing so for millions of years. Why? Fifty years of field research have led most scientists to conclude that humpback whales sing for the same reason that birds do-to advertise their sexual fitness. But, if humpback whale songs are nothing more than sonic peacock tails, then why are whales constantly changing their songs, and why are singers constantly “spreading their tails” when no listeners are around?

Please join us this Friday, April 13th at noon in 107 Capen Hall to discover the answer to this intriguing question and learn about Dr. Eduardo Mercado’s fascinating research.