Category: Fish
Also known as the Pacific sturgeon, this ancient species inhabits the west coast of North America from the Aleutian Islands to Central California. They have changed little in form since they first appeared 175 million years ago. White sturgeon are the largest species of bony fish in North America and the third largest species of sturgeon. While classified as bony fish, their skeletons are actually more cartilaginous than bony, similar to the skeletal structure of a shark.
Undersea Conversations…
While it isn’t obvious, fish have ears, and are able to communicate to one another through sounds. They don’t have vocal chords, but instead vibrate their swim bladders, producing popping, grunting, moaning, barking, or chirping noises. While some species of fish, like the goldfish, are silent listeners, there are over 1000 species that are known to vocalize, and some, like the gurnard who are veritable chatterboxes. While we can’t have a conversation with them - at least not yet - it is theorized that they do it to attract mates, frighten away predators or competitors, to synchronize mating, call for help and warn others, or to orient themselves.
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Discover Animals is a web-based educational resource offered by the NAIA
