A new study reveals orca whales have the capability to speak the language of dolphins. Orca whales, better known as killer whales, apparently have the uncanny ability to mimic other marine animal species.

A study observed 10 killer whales, of which three lived with bottlenose dolphins and the remaining seven with other orcas. Scientists observed the three orcas living with dolphins able to imitate how dolphins communicate using a series of whistles, clicks and other similar sounds.

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On the other hand, the seven killer whales that lived with other orcas remained in communication them via pulses.

Orcas can emit a wide variety of sounds at different ranges. Scientists said this explains how they can easily adapt to dolphin language. Cetacean biologists observe whales in a pack or group quickly develop unique sound variations called a dialect.

It's been known that whales have their own dialects but how they adapt and learn one or different dialects is still unclear, said Ann Bowles, senior research scientist at the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute. It does show however, how whales learn and understand dialects in terms of communicating with other species.

Dolphins and whales have the same learning capabilities when it comes producing varying ranges of sounds. Scientists have observed orca whales are also fast learners and adapt as well as their animal cousins.

Researchers think killer whales learn to emulate dolphin sounds so they can communicate well during social interactions. This special ability demonstrates that whales have a highly developed neural plasticity in which the brain adapts to new situations.

This study was published in the Journal of Acoustical Society of America.

TagsKiller Whales Can Apparently Learn Dolphin Language, killer whales, orca whales, Dolphins, killer whales orca dolphins speak language