Humpback whales are renown for their loud, haunting songs, but new research has discovered the huge marine mammals are able to “whisper” as well.

Scientists found that baby humpbacks avoid the attention of predators while communicating with their mothers by using intimate grunts and squeaks.

The quiet noises enable the young to keep track of their parents during long and precarious migrations without being overheard by killer whales and sexually aggressive male humpbacks looking for an opportunity to mate.