We love to talk. Whether it’s a friendly chat, a meaningful conversation, or even a heated debate, words and sounds are at the center of how we connect. However, in the animal kingdom, some species embrace silent communication—speaking in colors, chemical signals, and other ways. Here are 5 animals that show us that actions can sometimes speak louder than words.
1. Honeybees
Bees, particularly honeybees, are known for their “waggle dances”. In these elaborate dances, foraging bees will perform a sequence of movements—a “dance”—where they waggle their bodies and move in a specific pattern. Using these dances, they tell fellow hive members about the location of food sources.
In most cases, these waggle dances follow a figure-eight pattern with a straight line down the middle. Different parts of the dance are used to convey information about where other bees can go to find food. The length of the middle line indicates the distance to the nectar—longer lines signify greater distances. Contrastingly, the angle of the figure-eight reveals which direction the food source is in. The bee waggles at a distinct angle to show its hive members what position the nectar is in relative to the sun. Using this silent GPS system, honeybees work together to make sure the hive stays well-fed.
2. Chameleons
When someone says they are “like a chameleon”, they likely mean they are adaptable and versatile. This comparison does hold some truth as chameleons are capable of using an array of colors to communicate. For example, when threatened, they display bright colors like red or yellow to show dominance or aggression. On the other hand, when they are in a calmer state, their colors tend to become darker or more muted and dull.
Color changes are also used by chameleons to express interest in potential mates. Male chameleons put on vibrant displays of colors to attract females. Bright colors indicate good strength and health so females tend to choose males who can put on the most dazzling show. The ability to swatch colors is also a measure of sexual fitness because it allows chameleons to camouflage into their environments better.
3. Ants
Like chameleons, ants have a silent method of communication. To convey information to other ants in the colony, ants will use pheromones—chemical molecules that are released from the body. Using these pheromones, ants can share important information without the need for sound or even visual cues. When an ant finds a food source, it will leave a trail of pheromones behind it as it returns to the nest. Other ants can then follow this trail directly to the food. As more ants follow this trail, more pheromones are released, reinforcing the path and making it easier for others to find the food as well. Together, they are able to efficiently gather resources and support the colony’s needs.
Pheromones are like text messages for ants, creating a network of communication within the massive colony. Just like a group chat where messages are exchanged to coordinate plans, pheromones are used by ants to keep in touch. Another example where this is used is when an ant feels threatened or senses danger. It will release alarm pheromones to warn other ants in the area that a threat is near. Upon detecting this alert, other ants will respond by becoming more aggressive. This collective response ensures the colony can react quickly and adapt to various situations.
4. Rhinos
Rhinos use a fascinating form of communication that is mediated through their poop. That’s right, rhinos use feces to speak with each other. They create piles of dung, called middens, and leave them in specific locations. These middens contain a mixture of pheromones and other chemical compounds that are associated with a rhino’s identity, health, reproductive condition, and even social status. When a rhino encounters a midden left by another rhino, it will sniff the dung heap to gather information about the animal that left it, including its age, sex, and whether it is ready to mate.
This scent-marking behavior helps rhinos keep track of neighboring communities without the need for direct confrontation. It is a key part of rhino territory management as rhinos are primarily solitary animals. So, if a rhino comes across a midden, they can use it to determine if an area is already claimed or if it would be a good spot to settle down. This method of communication is a subtle but highly effective way for rhinos to denote their spaces without having to engage in aggressive encounters.
5. Elephants
Elephants are the ultimate long-distance communicators. They achieve this by creating vibrations through their feet that travel through the ground. These low-frequency vibrations can travel long distances, allowing elephants to communicate even when they are miles apart. Equipped with sensitive nerve endings at the bottom of their feet, they are able to detect small changes in pressure and movement. To improve this ability, they can lift one foot to press the other deeper into the ground. This non-verbal method of communication is especially useful in dense forests or grassy savannas where animals span large plains of land.
Vibrations and rumbles are not just used by elephants to talk about food sources and watering holes. They are also used in maintaining delicate social bonds between members of the same herd. For instance, when an elephant is separated from the rest of the group, it can send a message through the ground to allow the others to relocate and reunite with it. Similarly, they can use these silent signals to alarm and alert the herd about nearby dangers. These low-frequency rumbles are too low frequency to be heard by humans but to elephants, they are easily picked up. Members of the herd stay connected and coordinate movements that are essential to their survival in the savanna. It’s like having a secret Morse code that only they can feel.
