![Unheard Distress: Brazilian Scientists Reveal Frogs Emit Inaudible Screams 2 skynews henrique nogueira leaf litter frog 6516685](https://i0.wp.com/theubj.com/uae/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/skynews-henrique-nogueira-leaf-litter-frog_6516685.jpg?w=1170)
In an astonishing discovery, scientists have found that some frog species emit screams at frequencies beyond human auditory perception.
Diligently working within the Amazonian rainforests, a team of researchers from Brazil observed peculiar behaviors in small leaf litter frogs. These frogs exhibited movements suggesting they were screaming, yet the scientists heard no sound.
By employing high-frequency audio recorders, the team successfully recorded what they call “defensive ultrasound”, a phenomenon never before documented in amphibians.
This ultrasound scream is an anti-predator tactic, say the researchers hailing from Brazil’s State University of Campinas. It may serve to summon secondary predators to target the threat.
The cries were captured twice, and subsequent analyses revealed their frequencies ranged between 7 and 44 kilohertz (kHz). Since humans cannot hear any frequencies above 20 kHz, this cries fall into the category of ultrasound, rendering them inaudible to us.
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Mariana Retuci Pontes, part of the research ensemble, recalled witnessing akin behaviors during a former field trip but lacked the necessary devices to capture the ultrasonic sounds then. Many animals, including bats, whales, rhinos, dogs, pigeons, and cuttlefish, communicate using sound frequencies that are undetectable by human ears.
It’s a reminder that there’s an entire symphony of sounds in the natural world that remains largely unnoticed during our tranquil strolls in the wild or even urban landscapes.
FAQ
- Can humans hear the screams made by the frogs?
- No, humans cannot hear the screams because they are ultrasonic, with frequencies ranging from 7 kHz to 44 kHz, which is above the human hearing range.
- How did the researchers discover these ultrasonic screams?
- They used high-frequency audio recorders to capture the sounds when they observed the frogs exhibiting behaviors that suggested they were screaming.
- What is the purpose of these ultrasonic screams for the frogs?
- The screams are thought to be a defensive tactic to deter predators or possibly to attract other predators to the threat, helping the frogs evade danger.
Conclusion
This groundbreaking discovery by Brazilian researchers highlights a fascinating aspect of animal communication that had remained undetected by human senses. The phenomenon of “defensive ultrasound” used by some frogs could change our understanding of how amphibians interact with their environment and predators. It’s a captivating reminder of the complex and often hidden dynamics of natural ecosystems that continue to intrigue and surprise scientists and naturalists alike.