The range of hearing of different organisms on earth varies from species to species, and the hearing of different organisms is adapted to their ecological environment and survival needs. Here are some common terrestrial creatures and their approximate hearing range:
1.Human: Lower limit: Approximately 20 Hz.
Upper limit: Approximately 20,000 Hz.
2.Dogs: Lower limit: about 40 Hz.
Upper limit: Can be up to 40,000 Hz or higher. Dogs have a more sensitive sense of hearing to high-frequency sounds.
3.Cats: Lower limit: about 48 Hz.
Ceiling: approx. 85,000 Hz. Cats have a high sensitivity to high-frequency sounds, which helps them catch their prey at night.
4.Elephants: Lower limit: Can be as low as 5 Hz or less.
Upper limit: approx. 12,000 Hz. Elephants can perceive lower frequencies of sound, which is important for them to communicate over a wide area.
5.Bats: Lower limit: Usually below 1,000 Hz.
Upper limit: over 100,000 Hz. Bats use ultrasound for navigation and hunting, and they can emit sounds at extremely high frequencies.
6.Whales and dolphins:
Lower limit: Can be as low as 10 Hz or less.
Upper limit: up to 200,000 Hz. Whales and dolphins use low- and high-frequency sounds to communicate, navigate, and hunt.
These values are indicative only, as individual differences and environmental adaptations can lead to certain variations within a specific species. In general, organisms on Earth perceive sound in a certain frequency range, and this adaptation helps them survive and reproduce in their specific ecosystems.
Why do organisms that are sensitive to low-frequency sounds have a lack of hearing for high-frequency sounds, and for high-frequency sounds, they have a lack of hearing for low-frequency sounds?
This is related to the physiological structure and adaptability of the biological auditory system. The auditory system of living organisms evolves according to their environment and survival needs, and different species gradually develop adaptive auditory ranges in different environments.
1.Sensitive effects of low-frequency sound:
Benefits: Sensitivity to low-frequency sounds is beneficial for perceiving sounds over a wide area, tracking**, detecting threats from a distance, and more. Low-frequency sound is able to penetrate longer media, such as water or soil, and can also travel more easily through obstacles.
Disadvantages: Due to the physiological limitations of the biological cochlear implant (the hearing organ of the ear), sensitivity to low-frequency sounds may result in poor resolution in the high-frequency range. The structure and properties of the cochlea limit the effective capture and processing of high-frequency waves.
2.Sensitive effects of high-frequency sounds:
Advantages: High-frequency sound is important for close activities such as positioning, communication, hunting, etc. High-frequency sound has a short wavelength and provides better spatial resolution, making it suitable for tasks that require more accurate location information.
Disadvantages: Sensitivity to high-frequency sounds may reduce the perception of low-frequency sounds because the cochlea's physiology is not sensitive enough in the low-frequency range. In addition, high-frequency sounds travel relatively short distances in the atmosphere, so they may not be as good as low-frequency sounds in long-distance communication.
Taken together, the auditory system of living organisms has evolved to balance to adapt to their ecological environment and survival needs. This balance results in an aural advantage in a specific frequency range, but also makes for a relatively low sensitivity in other frequency ranges. As a result, different species differ in their auditory range, which is to better adapt to the environment in which they live.