Animals communicate using sound. Choose one or two types of animal and research to learn the following:
how the animals produce sound waves
how the animals sense sound waves
how sound travels in the animal’s environment
the range of frequencies (or wavelengths) that the animals can detect
what information sound gives this animal about the environment
how sound moves between different media when it is produced, traveling, or detected, and how the sound is changed at each boundary
One type of animal that communicates using sound waves is the bottlenose dolphin. Dolphins produce sounds by pushing air through their blowhole, which then passes through their nasal sacs and into a structure called the phonic lips. The phonic lips create vibrations that produce the sounds the dolphins use to communicate.
Dolphins sense sound waves through their lower jaw, which contains specialized structures called acoustic fats that transmit sound vibrations to their inner ear. The sound waves travel from the jaw to the inner ear, where they are processed and interpreted by the dolphin's brain.
Sound travels faster and farther in water than in air, making it the ideal medium for dolphins' communication. Dolphins can detect a wide range of frequencies, from about 500 Hz to 200 kHz, enabling them to communicate with each other and navigate through their underwater environment.
The information conveyed by sound to dolphins includes communication with other dolphins, locating prey, navigating through their environment, and detecting potential threats. Dolphins also use echolocation, a form of sonar, to locate objects and determine their shape, size, distance, and texture.
When sound waves move between different media, such as from water to air, they can be refracted, reflected, or absorbed. Dolphins adjust their communication and echolocation techniques based on the changes in sound waves as they move between different mediums, allowing them to effectively navigate and interact with their environment.