Many animals rely on frequencies far outside the human hearing range, using sound in ways that give them an advantage in finding food, navigating terrain, or staying safe from predators. These signals may travel through air, water, or even the ground, forming complex communication systems that work quietly around us every day.
Once you look at how different species use low or high frequencies, it becomes clear that our ears catch only a small part of the natural world’s conversation. Some of these sounds help animals coordinate within their groups, while others allow them to warn each other about threats or locate hidden prey.
Their communication evolved to match their environments, creating patterns of sound that move farther, travel faster, or avoid detection. Understanding these signals offers a fascinating look at how wildlife interacts beyond what people can hear.
This article is for general knowledge only and is based on information from online sources. Hearing ranges vary widely across species, and animal communication research continues to develop. Photos are for illustrative purposes only.
1. Bats
Bats navigate the night sky using echolocation, emitting ultrasonic calls between 20,000 and 120,000 hertz. These high-pitched sounds bounce off objects and return to the bat, creating a detailed sound map of their surroundings.
Different bat species use different frequencies depending on their hunting style and habitat. Some bats can even adjust their calls mid-flight to track fast-moving insects.
This biological sonar system works so well that bats can detect objects as thin as a human hair. Their ability to process these returning echoes happens incredibly fast, allowing split-second decisions during flight.
2. Dolphins
Dolphins produce clicks and whistles that reach frequencies up to 150,000 hertz, well beyond human hearing capacity. Each dolphin develops a unique signature whistle that functions like a name, helping pod members identify each other.
These marine mammals use their ultrasonic abilities for both navigation and social bonding. The clicks help them locate fish and navigate murky waters, while whistles maintain group cohesion.
Research shows dolphins can recognize the signature whistles of companions even after decades of separation. Their complex acoustic communication system rivals some of the most sophisticated animal languages on Earth.
3. Elephants
While many animals use ultrasonic frequencies, elephants communicate at the opposite end of the spectrum with infrasound. Their rumbles drop as low as 14 hertz, traveling through the ground for several kilometres.
These low-frequency calls allow elephant herds to coordinate movements across vast distances. Family groups separated by valleys or forests can still maintain contact through these deep vibrations.
Elephants detect these sounds through their sensitive feet and trunks. During mating season, males produce especially powerful infrasonic calls that females can hear from far away, helping them find potential mates.
4. Mice and Rats
Rodents engage in constant ultrasonic chatter that humans never notice. Male mice produce complex songs in the 30,000 to 110,000 hertz range when courting females, similar to how birds serenade their mates.
Young rat pups emit ultrasonic distress calls when separated from their mothers. These high-pitched squeaks prompt immediate maternal response, even though humans standing nearby hear nothing.
Scientists study these vocalizations to better understand rodent behaviour and emotions. Rats even produce ultrasonic giggles when playing or being tickled, suggesting these sounds express positive feelings beyond simple communication needs.
5. Whales
Baleen whales produce some of nature’s most powerful infrasonic calls, with frequencies dipping below 10 hertz. Blue whales hold the record for the loudest animal calls on Earth, reaching 188 decibels.
These low-frequency songs can travel across entire ocean basins, potentially allowing whales to communicate over thousands of kilometres. The deep ocean acts as a natural sound channel, carrying these calls farther than any other medium.
Humpback whales create elaborate songs that evolve over time, with all males in a region singing similar versions. Scientists believe these songs serve multiple purposes, from attracting mates to establishing territory.
6. Moths
Many moth species have evolved ultrasonic hearing to detect bat echolocation calls. Tiger moths take this defense one step further by producing their own ultrasonic clicks to jam bat sonar.
These clicks confuse hunting bats by disrupting the returning echoes they rely on. Some moths also use ultrasonic sounds to warn bats they taste terrible, teaching predators to avoid them.
Male moths of certain species produce ultrasonic courtship songs to attract females. This hidden acoustic world between predator and prey plays out every night, completely silent to human ears but crucial for survival.
7. Dogs
Your pet dog hears a much richer acoustic landscape than you do. While humans max out around 20,000 hertz, dogs can detect frequencies up to 65,000 hertz.
This extended hearing range helps explain why dogs sometimes react to seemingly nothing. They might be responding to ultrasonic pest deterrents, electronic devices, or even rodent activity inside walls.
Puppies use ultrasonic vocalizations to communicate with their mothers before their eyes open. Dog whistles exploit this ability, producing sounds that call dogs without disturbing human neighbours. This makes them popular training tools for owners and professionals alike.
8. Cats
Cats possess remarkably sensitive hearing, detecting frequencies up to 79,000 hertz. This ability originally evolved for hunting small rodents that communicate ultrasonically.
When your cat stares intently at a wall, it might be tracking mouse movements through their high-pitched squeaks. Feline hearing peaks around 8,000 hertz, perfectly tuned to the distress calls of prey animals.
Mother cats and kittens exchange ultrasonic calls during the first weeks of life. These private conversations happen right in front of us, yet remain completely inaudible. Cats can even rotate their ears independently to pinpoint sound sources with precision.
