Loudest animals on the Earth

TOI Lifestyle Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Jul 31, 2024, 11:48 IST

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The article explored sounds from the animal kingdom that are incredibly loud, potentially surpassing the human pain threshold of 120 decibels. Sperm whales, tiger pistol shrimp, blue whales, bats, howler monkeys, kakapos, and cicadas were highlighted for their record-breaking sound productions. These sounds serve various purposes like communication, echolocation, and mating, traveling over great distances underwater and on land.

When the sun is just beginning to rise and all you want to do is stay cosy under the covers, the loudest sounds in your world are likely your cat’s persistent yowling and your dog’s relentless begging for breakfast. We understand that. However, in the wild, some animals make sounds that are incredibly loud—potentially even louder than your pets' morning racket, though we can’t be sure.There are creatures that produce noises so intense they could potentially burst human eardrums. Before we explore these extraordinary sounds, let’s consider what constitutes “loud” for human ears.
The animal kingdom features a range of remarkably loud creatures, each adapted to their environment in unique ways. From the deafening calls of the blue whale, the loudest animal on Earth, reaching up to 188 decibels, to the high-frequency clicks of the pistol shrimp that can stun prey with its explosive sound, these animals use their vocalizations for communication, navigation, and hunting.

How loud is too loud?

Human hearing involves two key aspects: frequency and intensity. Humans can hear sound waves ranging from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Infants can typically hear higher frequencies better than adults.

In terms of intensity, the human ear can handle sounds up to about 120 decibels—equivalent to the volume of a rock concert. Regular exposure to such intense sounds is not advisable. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, "Sounds at or below 70 A-weighted decibels (dBA), even with prolonged exposure, are unlikely to cause hearing loss. However, long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 dBA can result in hearing damage."

Harsh sounds

Among the animals featured, some are responsible for some of the loudest recorded sounds in nature. This list also includes other extremely loud sources, such as the Saturn V Rocket (204 decibels) and gunfire (about 140 decibels).

Animals with loudest sounds

Sperm Whale

Species: Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
Sound level: Up to 230 decibels underwater (170 decibels in air)
Details: Sperm whales are known for their powerful clicks and calls, which are used for echolocation and communication. These sounds are incredibly loud underwater, making sperm whales one of the noisiest animals. When transmitted through air, the sound intensity diminishes significantly, but underwater, their calls can travel vast distances, reaching up to 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometres).

Tiger pistol shrimp

Species: Tiger pistol shrimp (Alpheus bellulus)
Sound level: Over 200 decibels
Details: The tiger pistol shrimp is renowned for its ability to create an intense shockwave by snapping its claw. This action generates a cavitation bubble that collapses with a forceful shockwave, exceeding 200 decibels. This shockwave can stun or kill small prey and creates a flash of light that reaches temperatures comparable to the sun's surface. The sound is so powerful that it can be deadly to other shrimp up to 6.5 feet (2 metres) away.

Blue whale

Species: Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus)
Sound level: Up to 188 decibels
Details: As the largest animal on Earth, the blue whale produces some of the loudest sounds of any marine animal. Their calls can reach up to 188 decibels and travel long distances underwater. These vocalisations are crucial for communication and can be heard over 1,000 miles away, making them the loudest of all marine mammals.

Greater bulldog bat

Species: Greater bulldog bat (Noctilio leporinus)
Sound level: Up to 140 decibels
Details: The greater bulldog bat uses echolocation to locate prey, specifically fish. This echolocation is exceptionally loud, comparable to the noise produced by a jet engine, and operates at frequencies that are outside the range of human hearing. This allows the bat to navigate and hunt effectively in the dark.

Howler monkeys

Species: Howler monkeys (Alouatta species)
Sound level: Up to 140 decibels
Details: Howler monkeys produce some of the loudest vocalisations among primates. Their low-pitched roars can reach up to 140 decibels, which is amplified by their large vocal sacs. The vocal folds of howler monkeys are three times longer than those of humans but are proportionally smaller, allowing them to produce these intense sounds. Research has shown a correlation between the loudness of their roar and the size of their testes.

Kakapo

Species: Kakapo (Strigops habroptilus)
Sound level: Up to 132 decibels
Details: The kakapo, also known as the owl parrot, is a flightless bird native to New Zealand. During mating season, the kakapo emits a loud call that can reach up to 132 decibels. This call is used to attract mates and is notable for its volume given the kakapo’s relatively large size. The kakapo is also distinguished by its longevity, with some individuals reaching up to 90 years of age.

Cicadas

Species: Greengrocer cicada (Cyclochila australasiae), Yellow Monday cicada (Cyclochila codiana)
Sound level: Up to 120 decibels
Details: Cicadas, particularly the greengrocer and yellow Monday species, are known for their loud calls. These insects produce sound by vibrating the drum-like membranes on their abdomen, known as tymbals. The sound can reach up to 120 decibels and is used primarily during mating to signal to potential partners of the same species.

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