Scientists Uncover Auditory ‘Sixth Sense’ in Geckos

Researchers from the University of Maryland recently published a study revealing that geckos use their saccule—a part of the inner ear associated with balance and body positioning—to detect low-frequency vibrations. They have dubbed it a “sixth sense,” and believe it to play a complementary role to geckos’ normal hearing systems.   

The team’s research uncovered that a gecko’s saccule can detect faint vibrations ranging from 50 to 200 Hz, frequencies far below what they can typically hear with their ears.

This previously unrecognized sixth sense may be present in other reptilian species as well. “This ancient inner pathway, typically linked to balance, helps geckos detect vibrations that travel through mediums like the ground or water,” said study co-author Catherine Carr, a professor of biology at the University of Maryland. “Our findings shed light on how the auditory system evolved from what you see in fish to what you see in land animals including humans.”

This discovery of a gecko’s saccule and its role in their hearing may lead to new discoveries about communication in other animals thought to have limited auditory capabilities. 

While it is true that these findings are not directly connected to how humans hear, similarities can be drawn. “Think about when you’re at a live rock concert,” Carr said. “It’s so loud that you can feel your whole head and body vibrate in the sound field. You can feel the music, rather than just hearing it.”

References

Han D and Carr CE. (2024) Auditory pathway for detection of vibration in the tokay gecko. Current Biology.

Phys.org. (2024) Scientists uncover auditory ‘sixth sense’ in geckos. (accessed October 30, 2024).