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How Animals Use Sound to Communicate

Start Interactive
Image from the interactive showing outlines of two elephants.

Topic

  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Animal Behavior
  • Zoology
  • Scientific Skills & Literacy
  • Visual & Physical Models

Resource Type

  • Interactive Media
  • Click & Learn

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Saved By
18 Users
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Description

This interactive module explores how different animals — elephants, birds, and bats — have evolved distinct ways of using sound to communicate.

Animals have evolved a variety of mechanisms to communicate with each other for mating, defense, and other social interactions. In this Click & Learn, students will explore three case studies of how animals use sound and hearing to communicate, and how aspects of their communication systems have been shaped by evolution. The first case involves long-distance, low-frequency sounds used by elephants. The second study focuses on species-specific courtship songs used by finches. The third case discusses ultrasound used by bats and their prey, moths. Students can also investigate the basic properties of sound and sound perception in the “Sound Tutorial” section.

The accompanying “Student Worksheet” guides students’ exploration.

Student Learning Targets

  • Analyze various communication behaviors by observing videos and images of animals.
  • Describe the adaptive advantages of using sound to communicate in different contexts.

Estimated Time

Two to three 50-minute class periods.

Key Terms

adaptation, attenuation, auditory signal, echolocation, frequency, pitch, sound wave, spectrogram, vibration, wavelength

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

PDF files meet criteria. Interactive media meets criteria.

Version History

Date Published 11.02.16
Date Updated 10.23.19

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS2-8, HS-LS4-2, HS-PS4-1; SEP2, SEP5

AP Biology (2019)

ENE-3.D, ENE-1.D, IST-5.A; SP1, SP2, SP5

IB Biology (2016)

5.2, A.3, A.6

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9-12.2, ELA.WHST.9-12.9
MP2

Vision and Change (2009)

CC5; DP2, DP3

Materials

Student Worksheet (PDF) 346 KB

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