Atlantic sturgeon are finally breaking their silence with thunderous underwater breeding calls

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Atlantic sturgeon, prehistoric giants that swam alongside dinosaurs, have long remained elusive to researchers. Now, scientists have discovered these endangered fish produce low-frequency rumbles during spawning. Dubbed thunders, these sounds provide a non-invasive way to track breeding grounds and support the recovery of this ancient, depleted species.

Atlantic sturgeon are remarkable survivors, possessing armor plates and whisker-like sensors that have changed little over 100 million years. Despite reaching lengths of 14 feet, they are notoriously difficult to study. Their migratory patterns and spawning habits remain poorly understood, complicating conservation efforts for a species listed as endangered or threatened across the United States. Traditionally, researchers relied on invasive methods like netting or physical tagging, which can cause significant stress to these protected animals.

In a breakthrough study published in Endangered Species Research, a team led by Rebecca Cohen of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology utilized passive acoustic monitoring to observe sturgeon in the Hudson River. By deploying recording devices near Hyde Park, New York, during the 2021 spawning season, the team captured nearly 7,700 low-frequency rumbles. These sounds, peaking at 44 hertz, were absent in April but became a cacophony during the peak spawning months of June and July. Captive sturgeon at a South Carolina hatchery confirmed that these thunders are indeed produced by the species.

The discovery of these thunders offers a vital tool for conservationists. Because the sounds are tied to reproduction, they allow scientists to pinpoint critical breeding habitats without disturbing the fish. Biologist Dennis Higgs suggests these rumbles may serve as communication, potentially helping females identify ready males through both sound and physical vibrations in the water. Furthermore, evidence that sturgeon avoid anthropogenic noise—such as construction pile-driving—highlights the importance of managing the acoustic environment to protect these ancient giants as they return to their ancestral rivers to spawn.

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