Can hedgehogs hear ultrasound frequencies?

Yes, research has shown that hedgehogs can hear very high frequencies in the ultrasound range, specifically from 4 to 85kHz.

How could this discovery help hedgehogs?

The ability of hedgehogs to hear ultrasound could lead to the development of repellers for vehicles and garden equipment, helping to deter them from dangerous roads and reduce fatalities.

What makes hedgehogs able to hear ultrasound?

Hedgehogs have specific ear structures, including small, dense middle-ear bones and a partly fused joint, which efficiently transmit high-pitched sounds.

Home / Science / Can Ultrasound Save Hedgehogs From Cars?

Can Ultrasound Save Hedgehogs From Cars?

11 Mar

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Summary

Hedgehogs can hear ultrasound frequencies up to 85kHz, far beyond human hearing.
Research revealed structural ear adaptations enhancing high-frequency sound reception.
Ultrasound repellers could protect hedgehogs from vehicle collisions.

Can Ultrasound Save Hedgehogs From Cars?

New research indicates that hedgehogs possess the ability to hear very high-frequency ultrasound, a finding that may pave the way for innovative deterrents against road traffic. Vehicles are a significant factor in the decline of hedgehogs across Europe, contributing to an estimated one in three deaths. Scientists at the University of Oxford, in collaboration with Danish colleagues, conducted studies on rescued hedgehogs. Using electrodes to monitor brainstem responses to sounds, they found hedgehogs reacted to frequencies ranging from 4 to 85kHz, well within the ultrasound spectrum.