What is Infrasound?
Infrasound refers to sound waves with frequencies below 20 Hz, which are too low for human ears to hear. These low-frequency waves can travel long distances without losing much energy, making them ideal for long-range communication.
How Do Elephants Use Infrasound?
Communication Over Long Distances
Elephants can send messages up to 10 km away using infrasound. They use these deep rumbles to warn of danger, call for mates, and coordinate movements in the herd.
Through the Air and the Ground
Elephants not only hear infrasound through their ears but also through their feet! They can detect seismic vibrations (low-frequency sound waves traveling through the ground) using sensitive nerve endings in their feet and trunk.
“Secret” Conversations
Since humans and many predators cannot hear infrasound, elephants can communicate “secretly” without alerting threats. This gives them an advantage in the wild, especially in dense forests where visibility is low.
Mating Calls & Social Bonds
Males use infrasonic mating calls to attract females from far away. Mothers also use infrasound to communicate with their calves, keeping them safe and close.
Warning System for Danger
Elephants warn each other about predators, poachers, or natural disasters like tsunamis using infrasonic signals. Scientists noticed that elephants started moving to higher ground before the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, possibly detecting infrasonic shockwaves before humans did!
Elephants and Modern Science
Scientists use special microphones and sensors to study elephant infrasound.
This research helps conservationists track elephant movements and prevent poaching.
Understanding infrasound may also help scientists predict earthquakes and natural disasters in the future!
Conclusion
Elephants have an incredible ability to communicate over long distances using infrasound, giving them a hidden “language” that helps them navigate, bond, and survive in the wild. This makes them one of the most fascinating species in the animal kingdom