Discover six creatures with truly extraordinary ears. These specialized organs allow them to navigate, hunt, and communicate in unique and fascinating ways, revealing the power of sound in the wild.
1. Beluga whales
Beluga whales are known as some of the friendliest whales around. They will hunt and interact in large groups called pods that can contain hundreds of individual whales. The pods also contain a variety of social relationships from mothers and calves to friends and mates.
Their white skin and large bullous heads make beluga whales pretty unmistakable. Their hearing also makes them pretty remarkable. Belugas can detect sounds ranging from 1.2 to 120,000 Hz—far beyond what humans can! They have small openings on the side of their heads that lead to a small ear canal and an eardrum. These structures are used for more low-frequency sounds. What’s more interesting is that their lower jawbones are filled with fat, and they use these jawbones to detect higher-frequency sounds. Sounds are received and conducted through their mouths, through the ears, and into the hearing centers in their brains!
2. Bats
It’s no surprise that we include bats in the list of animals known for their hearing. Many species of bats rely on their large ears to navigate their settings and find their next meal. Bats also have the incredible ability to use echolocation—a technique that involves the animal emitting high-frequency sounds (also called echoes or ultrasounds) and detecting how they rebound from the surrounding objects. When the echoes return to their ears, they are able to determine the topography of the landscape around them. In a way, they can “see” the world around them even in complete darkness. They can ascertain the shape, size, distance, and even texture of objects all through sound.
The outer ears of bats act like funnels, channeling sound waves right into their ear canals.
Like beluga whales, bats have a much wider range of frequencies they can hear. Some have been documented to be sensitive to sounds of up to 200,000 Hz!
3. Dogs
Photo credit: Diamond Pet Foods
No other animal on the planet can claim the title of “man’s best friend.” This endearing term is reserved for dogs, and it’s no surprise why. Dogs show immense loyalty, and unconditional love, and have been by our side for hundreds of years.
Present-day domesticated dogs evolved from wolves who prey on small rodents such as mice and rabbits. Because of this lineage, dogs are more sensitive to high-pitched sounds (up to 65,000 Hz). Dogs of all shapes and sizes also use their sensitive ears to sense the tone of our voices. When we give them commands like “sit” or “stay,” they don’t actually comprehend the meaning of the terms, but rather they sense our emotions and desires based on the tenor of our words.
4. Dolphins
Photo credit: The Marine Mammal Center
Similar to beluga whales, dolphins use their lower jaws to “hear.” Sounds radiate from the waters around them up through to their ear structures and brains. Dolphins have a highly developed auditory cortex, and they are superstars when it comes to differentiating between sounds. They’re also capable of producing a large array of sounds through their nasal passages, like clicks and whistles.
As if that wasn’t enough, dolphins can also use echolocation like bats. They send high-pitched pulses into the water and sense the returning vibrations. Compared to air, water is a much better sound transmitter, so the sounds dolphins make travel almost five times faster than those made by bats!
5. Greater Wax Moths
When it comes to hearing, greater wax moths are specialists. They are fine-tuned to detect the sounds made by their main predator—bats. However, that’s not to say that moths aren’t extraordinary in their own right. They are capable of sensing frequencies of up to 300 kHz! This means they have the most sensitive ears in the insect world!
This particular species of moth was originally only found in Europe and Asia. However, they were later introduced to North America and Australia. Unfortunately, they are considered to be pests because they damage bee hives and honeycombs. Beeswax is usually very hard to break down and digest, but greater wax moths produce special enzymes that allow them to break it down and convert it into nutrients. Interestingly, there has been some research into these enzymes and the possibility of using them to break down substances like polyethylene, a common plastic used in mass packaging factories.
6. Great White Sharks
Photo credit: NPR
Did you know great white sharks have ears? Yes! They have holes on the side of their heads that lead to canals and an ear system made up of three sensory areas—the sacculus, the lagena, and the utriculus. All of these areas are lined with sensory hairs that help the shark detect even the most minute of vibrations.
Unlike all of the other animals we’ve talked about, great whites are more sensitive to low-frequency sounds. They can also notice noises more than a thousand meters away, allowing them to be effective hunters even in murky waters. Great whites are apex predators, meaning they are at the top of their food chains. Seals and fish make up the majority of their diet, but they have also been seen scavenging the carcasses of dead whales. They have an appetite as large as their name!
