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How Animals Use Sound to Communicate

Launch Interactive
Topic
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Animal Behavior
  • Zoology
  • Science Practices
  • Models & Simulations
Resource Type
  • Interactive Media
  • Click & Learn
Level
High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Favorited By
14 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.
Details
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

This resource and the accompanying documents comply with accessibility standards in accordance with the final rule for Section 508 of the National Rehabilitation Act.
Version History
Date Published 11.02.16
Date Updated 10.23.19
Curriculum Connections
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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