52-hertz whale - Wikipedia
The 52-hertz whale is an individual whale of unidentified species which calls at the unusual frequency of 52 Hz. This pitch is a higher frequency than that of the other whale species with migration patterns most closely resembling the 52-hertz whale's[1] – the blue whale (10–39 Hz)[2] or fin whale (20 Hz).[1] It has been detected regularly in many locations since the late 1980s and appears to be the only individual emitting a whale call at this frequency. It has been described as the "world's loneliest whale".[3][4]
The sonic signature is that of a whale, albeit at a unique frequency. At 52 hertz, it is a little higher than the lowest note on a double bass. The call patterns resemble neither blue nor fin whales, being much higher in frequency, shorter, and more frequent.[5] Blue whales usually vocalize at 10–39 Hz,[2] fin whales at 20 Hz.[1] The 52-hertz calls of this whale are highly variable in their pattern of repetition, duration, and sequence, although they are easily identifiable due to their frequency and characteristic clustering.[6] The calls have deepened slightly to around 50 hertz since 1992, suggesting the whale has grown or matured.[4]
The track of the 52-hertz whale is unrelated to the presence or movement of other whale species.[7] Its movements have been somewhat similar to that of blue whales, but its timing has been more like that of fin whales.[6] It is detected in the Pacific Ocean every year beginning in August–December, and moves out of range of the hydrophones in January–February. It travels as far north as the Aleutian and Kodiak Islands, and as far south as the California coast, swimming between 30 and 70 km each day. Its recorded distance traveled per season has ranged from a low of 708 km to a high of 11,062 km in 2002–03.[8]
