Did you know that some animals can produce such loud noises it can damage our hearing?
Some of these examples might be obvious, like the powerful roar of a lion or the unique howl of a gray wolf. But if you wonder how a tiny mole cricket ended up on this list, continue reading. This list just gets better and better.
Let’s hear those loud folks!
1. Mole cricket
Wonder how these tiny but mighty creatures ended up on this list? It’s all because of the males. They’re the real attention seekers, making loud, repetitive sounds just to get the ladies to recognise them.
Maybe not the loudest on this list, but definitely deserve to be here, with their ability to reach up to 70 decibels.
But, not only are these sounds loud, but they’re also incredibly annoying. Just imagine falling asleep and suddenly hearing one in your room. Good luck trying to catch it!
2. Howler Monkey
With reaching up to 90 decibels, their howls can be heard even up to 3 miles through a dense forest. Seems like they have a very suitable name.
Vocalization is an important part of their communication, therefore they use it to protect their territory, mating and keeping track of each other.
As one group of howlers calls, another group answers. Just imagine listening to these creatures going back and forth all day.
3. Gray Wolves
Cover your ears, the moon is full! But wolves actually don’t even howl at the moon. They howl for several reasons, like locating each other, gathering the pack or warning intruders.
Wolves communicate in many different ways: using their scent or body posture, but they are mostly known for howling, which can reach up to 90 decibels.
But did you know that wolves also bark just like dogs? However, they don’t do it that often, just in certain situations like warning the pack of danger.
4. African Cicada
Such a small creature with such a big voice, so big that it is the world’s loudest insect.
They use their sounds to communicate or scare away danger. Males use their calls to attract females. If you ask me, not the best way to flirt, but it seems like it’s working quite well for them.
These species were recorded at almost 107 decibels measured by a distance of 20 inches. Not only are they so loud, but another interesting fact about them is that they live up to 17 years, making them one of the longest living insects.
5. Lions
Bow down, here comes the king!
Its appearance and strength granted this title, but the loud roar kept it from being handed to someone else. The lion’s roar symbolizes power and dominance, making it one of the most iconic sounds in the animal kingdom.
When measured, their roar can reach even up to 114 decibels. That’s so loud that you could actually feel the vibrations in the ground if near enough.
6. Hippos
Watch out because not many people know that hippos are very aggressive creatures and fall under the deadliest mammals. That perfectly aligns with the fact that they are very loud.
Whether communicating with each other or during a fight, these huge animals can produce sounds so loud that they can be heard from several miles away.
Measured at 115 decibels, the hippo’s groans are as loud as standing 15 feet away from the speakers at a concert.
7. Elephants
How can a creature be so big and produce such loud noises, but yet be so adorable?
These cuddly giants use their trunks for eating and drinking, but also for producing some of the loudest sounds.
Their trunk can weigh as much as 310 lbs and contains around 400,000 muscles. No wonder they can make sounds loud up to 117 decibels.
8. Blue Whale
Carrying two titles sure isn’t easy, but the blue whale does it well, being both the largest and the loudest animal on the planet. I wouldn’t want to cross its path!
The blue whale’s sounds can be heard up to 1,000 miles away, and so loud that they would damage the human ear if close enough.
Their loud sounds are important to them as they need to communicate with all the other creatures of their kind, which can be miles away in the ocean, therefore the volume can reach up to 188 decibels.