Infrasonic Sound Overview
Infrasonic sounds are low-frequency sounds that are below the range of human hearing, typically defined as frequencies below 20 Hz. These sounds can travel long distances and are often used in communication among certain animal species.
Animals That Produce Infrasonic Sound
- Porpoises and Dolphins: These marine mammals primarily communicate using ultrasonic sounds, which are above the human hearing range. They use echolocation for navigation and hunting.
- Elephants: Elephants are known to produce infrasonic sounds. They can communicate over long distances using these low-frequency sounds, which can travel through the ground as well as the air. Their vocalizations can reach frequencies as low as 14-35 Hz, allowing them to convey messages about mating, danger, or location to other elephants miles away.
- Bats: Bats utilize echolocation primarily through ultrasonic sounds, not infrasonic. They emit high-frequency calls to navigate and hunt, which are inaudible to most other animals.
Significance of Infrasonic Sounds in Elephants
- Long Distance Communication: Infrasonic sounds can travel several kilometers, making them ideal for communicating in dense forests where visibility is low.
- Social Structure: These sounds play a crucial role in maintaining social bonds within elephant herds, allowing them to coordinate movements and alert each other to potential threats.
- Environmental Awareness: Elephants can also detect infrasonic vibrations from natural events like earthquakes, which helps them respond to environmental changes.
In conclusion, among the options provided, elephants are the primary producers of infrasonic sounds, making option 'C' the correct answer.