TPO 56

The article states that the existence of the unusual 52 hertz whale could be explained in three ways. However, the professor believes that each of these theories are flawed and the uniqueness of that whale remains a mystery.

First of all, the reading argues that the 52 hertz whale could be a hybrid of two different whale species, so its special voice is a combination of its parents. This point is challenged by the professor by mentioning that unlike other hybrid whales, who have a typical travel pattern with other normal whales, the 52 hertz whale travels alone and has its own migration pattern.This untypical behavior shows that the 52 hertz whale is nothing close to a hybrid.

Secondly, the article claims that this whale may have damaged hearing, which makes it hard for it to hear other whales' songs. So, its songs differ from theirs. However, the professor refutes this idea by explaining that the high pitch of its song relates to the special physical structure of its throat and vocal sounds originate from throat, just like humans. He adds that no clear connection between hearing and the throat structure has been found.

Finally, the reading posits that this whale may belong to a rare species. The professor challenges this idea by saying that even if the 52 hertz whale is from a rare species, it must have parents who belong to the same species. Considering the fact that scientist have been hearing whale songs for decades, the songs of its parents must have been captures, if they existed, but, no such songs have been recorded before.