Elephants are known to be highly social animals, living and traveling in large family communities. Recent investigations into their vocalizations lead researchers to believe that elephants have unique names for one another, an uncommon occurrence in wild animals (Pardo et al, 2024). Elephants can produce a wide range of sounds and have the capacity to produce unique patterns that reflect their language capabilities. Their low-frequency rumbles can be heard over long distances, allowing communication and the ability to find each other should they become separated.
Researchers used a computer model to predict which elephant was being addressed. This model was correct 28 percent of the time compared to 8 percent correct using a control.
References
NBC News. (2024) African elephants call each other by unique names, new study shows. (accessed July 2, 2024).
Pardo MA, Fristrup K, Lolchuragi DS, et al. (2024) African elephants address one another with individually specific name-like calls. Nat Ecol Evol.
Recent Posts
American Academy of Audiology Clinical Consensus Statement: Assessment of Vestibular Function in the Pediatric Population
Authors: Violette Lavender, AuD, Kristen Janky, PhD, Katheryn Bachmann, PhD, Melissa Caine, AuD, Micheal Castiglione, AuD, Guangwei Zhou, ScD The American Academy of Audiology Clinical…
CMS Releases CY 2026 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center Proposed Rule
On July 15, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the calendar year (CY) 2026 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System proposed rule,…
AAA, ADA, and ASHA Respond to False Claims about Medicare Audiology Legislation
The American Academy of Audiology (AAA), Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA), and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) have issued a formal response to the American…