Sharks do not make noise in the same way that many other animals do. They do not have vocal cords, unabling them to produce sounds in the way that mammals do. However, there are two sharks that are known to make bark-like sounds when threatened. Additionally, sharks have other ways to communicate.
“Barking” Shark
While sharks typically stay silent, one species, the draughtsboard shark, or swell shark, can produce a noise that sounds like “barking.”
The draughtsboard shark (Cephaloscyllium laticeps) is a catshark species in the eastern Pacific Ocean’s coastal waters. When threatened, they produce a unique “barking” sound by inhaling air and releasing it rapidly.
How do sharks communicate?
Sharks communicate through body language, using their bodies and fins to convey information. They express aggression and territoriality with their fins, tails, and eyes. Sharks also release chemicals into the water to mark territory or attract a mate. Learn more about this fascinating behavior in our interview with Kimi Werner.
Sharks use their electroreceptors to communicate, find prey, and move. Some can detect their prey’s weak electrical fields, allowing them to hunt in darkness or murky water. These receptors also help sharks orient themselves and send signals to each other.
Sharks don’t make noise like other animals, but they still communicate and interact with their environment in various ways.
