Do animals talk? The answer might surprise you! But what in the world are whales actually saying to each other? And how does a whale language even have an alphabet?

In this episode of Wild Interest, we dive deep with zoologist and pioneering animal researcher Katy Payne and discover the complex ways whales and elephants communicate. She even does her best whale song impression for us! 

Project CETI linguistics lead and professor Gašper Beguš talks about his work with sperm whales, and the whale language his research is discovering. It even has an alphabet!

But wait, there's more! Ever wonder how honeybees communicate? Dance with us as we buzz about the sweet ways honeybees talk to each other. Plus, bundle up for frigid tales of the Ningen, an aquatic cryptid said to inhabit the Arctic Ocean north of Japan.

This episode features a second hilarious installment of Feeding Ben Stuff, plus Favorite Sound, Grandparent Stories, a real stumper of a riddle, jokes and more. Let's get wild!

Dive in now and discover the wild conversations happening all around us!

Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message.

Timestamps for this episode are available below.

00:00 Episode 9 Intro
01:48 Animal Talk
03:45 Whale Language with Gašper Beguš and Project CETI
10:52 Joke Time
11:46 The Dance of the Honeybee
14:56 Riddle Question
15:20 Cryptid Corner: The Ningen
18:08 Favorite Sound
19:01 Call for Submissions
19:28 Grandparent Story
23:32 Feeding Ben Stuff
29:25 Whale Song and Elephant Communication with Katy Payne
38:31 Riddle Answer
38:53 Preview of Episode 10
39:25 Show Credits
39:57 Bloopers

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