Skip to content
oceanbites

oceanbites

Ocean science for everyone!

  • About oceanbites
    • Style Guide
  • Our authors
  • Oceanbites Out Loud
  • Write for oceanbites!
  • Other science bites sites

Author: Julia Zeh

I am a PhD candidate at Syracuse University studying marine mammal communication. My research focuses on analyzing underwater recordings of whale calls in order to better understand whale behavior. I'm also interested in education, outreach, and science communication. When I'm not listening to whale sounds, you can find me curled up with a good book or complaining about how much it snows in Syracuse.
New species of ancient whale discovered in Egypt
Paleontology

New species of ancient whale discovered in Egypt

Forty-three million years ago, ancient semi-aquatic whales roamed coastal seas which have since transformed into the deserts of present-day Egypt.…
September 4, 2021September 4, 2021 Julia Zeh
North Atlantic right whales are getting smaller
Conservation

North Atlantic right whales are getting smaller

With fewer than 400 individuals left on the planet, the situation for North Atlantic right whales is dire. Beyond the…
August 5, 2021September 2, 2021 Julia Zeh
Where do baby sea turtles go?
Sea Turtles

Where do baby sea turtles go?

Where do baby sea turtles go after hatching on the beach and heading out towards sea? New tracking technology is…
June 4, 2021June 4, 2021 Julia Zeh
The bionic walking octopus
technology

The bionic walking octopus

Standing at about 5 inches tall and walking on two suction-cup lined tentacles, a new octopus-inspired robot has the potential…
May 6, 2021May 6, 2021 Julia Zeh
Sperm whales learned from each other to avoid 19th century whalers
Behavior

Sperm whales learned from each other to avoid 19th century whalers

Is it possible to learn about how whales behaved 200 years ago? A combination of whaling logbooks and mathematical models…
April 7, 2021 Julia Zeh
There and back again: Uncovering the mysteries of gray whale migration
Behavior

There and back again: Uncovering the mysteries of gray whale migration

Gray whales undertake one of the longest migrations of any animal, swimming 12,000 miles round-trip between their northern feeding grounds…
February 5, 2021February 5, 2021 Julia Zeh
Are marine mammals susceptible to COVID-19?
Human impacts

Are marine mammals susceptible to COVID-19?

Humans aren't the only ones susceptible to COVID-19 and as the virus continues to spread, concern for wildlife is growing.
January 11, 2021January 14, 2021 Julia Zeh
Surprising fin whale songs in Hawaii
Behavior

Surprising fin whale songs in Hawaii

After sifting through thousands of hours of recordings, a team of naval researchers is bringing the previously hidden complexities of…
December 11, 2020December 14, 2020 Julia Zeh
Holistic management: the vital role of Indigenous Peoples in conservation on the high seas
Policy

Holistic management: the vital role of Indigenous Peoples in conservation on the high seas

This Indigenous Peoples' Day, consider the role of indigenous and local communities in marine conservation and policy. International governing bodies…
October 12, 2020October 12, 2020 Julia Zeh
The view from a sperm whale’s nose
Behavior

The view from a sperm whale’s nose

What happens if you place a microphone on the tip of a sperm whale’s nose? Putting anything on the nose…
August 18, 2020 Julia Zeh
An ancient dolphin gives a glimpse of the past
Paleontology

An ancient dolphin gives a glimpse of the past

What can fossilized dolphin skeletons tell us about how whales transitioned from land to sea millions of years ago? New…
July 17, 2020July 17, 2020 Julia Zeh
VaquitaCPR: Trying to save the world’s most endangered marine mammal
Conservation

VaquitaCPR: Trying to save the world’s most endangered marine mammal

What do you do when the species you’ve been working to save from extinction is down to fewer than 30…
June 20, 2020June 16, 2020 Julia Zeh
Menacing microplastics hamper hermit crab choices
Plastic Pollution

Menacing microplastics hamper hermit crab choices

How can little bits of plastic in the ocean impact a hermit crab's ability to make decisions? Microplastics can be…
June 16, 2020June 16, 2020 Julia Zeh
Minke Boings: A 50-year mystery and the science of listening in the ocean
Behavior

Minke Boings: A 50-year mystery and the science of listening in the ocean

Whale sounds are weird and fascinating, but for a long time scientists weren't even sure that whales made sounds. The…
May 29, 2020May 29, 2020 Julia Zeh
Arctic Unicorns: Understanding the past, present, and future of narwhals and their mysterious tusks
Ecology

Arctic Unicorns: Understanding the past, present, and future of narwhals and their mysterious tusks

Why do narwhals have tusks that make them look like unicorns? As climate change continues, what is the fate of…
April 29, 2020April 29, 2020 Julia Zeh
A round of underwater applause: Scientists record gray seals clapping underwater
Behavior

A round of underwater applause: Scientists record gray seals clapping underwater

How do you get someone else’s attention underwater? It turns out some seals may clap their flippers together the same…
February 13, 2020February 13, 2020 Julia Zeh
Of Wildfires and Oceans
Conservation

Of Wildfires and Oceans

Wildfires are all over the news, from California to Australia, but do these terrestrial events have any impact on ocean…
January 15, 2020January 15, 2020 Julia Zeh
Ensuring that coral reefs sound like home
Conservation

Ensuring that coral reefs sound like home

What does a coral reef sound like? The answer is more important than you might think. By playing the sounds…
December 16, 2019 Julia Zeh
Mazes aren’t just for mice: European shore crabs exhibit spatial learning
Behavior

Mazes aren’t just for mice: European shore crabs exhibit spatial learning

Mazes aren’t just for mice, although a scientific literature search for maze learning might lead you to think so. In…
November 18, 2019November 18, 2019 Julia Zeh
The story behind the story: Understanding how mother whales communicate and the challenges of studying an endangered species
Behavior

The story behind the story: Understanding how mother whales communicate and the challenges of studying an endangered species

How do North Atlantic right whale moms talk to their calves? A recent paper describes new quiet calls which have…
October 15, 2019October 15, 2019 Julia Zeh

Posts navigation

Older Posts

Search oceanbites

WordPress Theme: BlogGrid by TwoPoints.