Some results of studying the acoustics of dolphins

An experimental study of the echolocation ability of dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) is performed in the presence of correlated and uncorrelated broadband noise acting on their organs of hearing. It is shown that, under such conditions, the echolocating pulses of a dolphin become noticeably modified: in the absence of noise, standard broadband pulses are produced, while in the presence of noise, the pulses acquire an oscillatory character (become narrowband). Sounds and air pressure that occur inside the respiratory tract of a dolphin when the animal produces whistles and pulsed signals are studied. Data testifying in favor of the pneumatic origin of sounds generated by dolphins are obtained.