Sharks Found to Produce Sounds in Groundbreaking Discovery

Researchers document the New Zealand rig shark clicking its teeth, marking the first confirmed case of sound production in sharks.

The New Zealand rig shark (Mustelus lenticulatus) has been recorded producing deliberate clicking sounds, challenging the long-held belief that sharks are silent.
The sounds are created by forcefully snapping the shark's flattened teeth, which are adapted for cracking crustacean shells.
The discovery was made accidentally by evolutionary biologist Carolin Nieder during experiments at the University of Auckland's Leigh Marine Lab.
Controlled experiments with 10 juvenile rig sharks confirmed that the sounds occurred during handling, suggesting a potential stress or startle response.
The findings, published in Royal Society Open Science on March 26, 2025, open new avenues for research into sound production and communication in cartilaginous fishes.