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Did you know manatees can talk? Well, not like you and me of course. They "vocalize" with squeaks and whistles. How they do this is a bit of a mystery because they lack vocal chords. AAAS member Charles Grossman, a professor of biology at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio is recording the vocalizations of manatees in an effort to understand their communication system and behaviors.
In this audio slideshow you'll hear a variety of squeaks Grossman has recorded and find out what he'd like to use them for.
More:
Wonder what manatees eat in captivity? You've probably eaten it too!
Research effort wants to decode the vocalizations of manatees
Xavier University: Midwest Florida Manatee Research Project
Xavier University: Charles Grossman bio page