The Science Of Animal Communication

Have you ever wondered what the birds are chirping about at the break of dawn, or how wolves get together to plan a hunt? The world of animal communication is fascinating. From the whispers of whales in the deep seas to the highly defined movements of honeybee dances, wildlife has developed extraordinary means to communicate. Come along with us in exploring the fascinating realm of animal expression!

The Languages of the Wild

Much like how different people around the world speak different languages, wild animals too have their unique ways of communicating with each other. According to scientists, the different types of communication that can be seen in the animal world can be classified into four broad categories:

• Vocalisation: Lions roar, whales sing, and wolves howl. Among the most effective methods that animals can communicate with each other over a short distance is through sound. Numerous birds use long calls or beautiful songs to defend their territory or to attract mates. Certain insects such as crickets and cicadas are able to produce distinct sounds as courting calls as well. Male crickets chirp by rubbing their wings together,  whereas male cicadas use a specialised organ called tymbal that is present in their abdomen to create clicking sounds.

• Body Language: Wild animals often use physical movements or behaviour to convey emotions, threats and also romance. Chimpanzees baring their teeth or peacocks fanning their feathers are classic examples of how animals communicate through body language. Predators such tigers use upright body postures to indicate their dominance. . Since wolves  live in a pack,  the male or female leader conveys authority by keeping their tail raised. When prey species like the deer sense danger, they show their alertness  through their stance.

• Chemicals: Have you come across ants marching in a perfect line? They are following pheromones released by the leading ant. This is a perfect example of chemical communication. Pheromones are tiny scented molecules that are released by animals to trigger behavioural responses in other members of the same species. Termites are another insect species that use pheromones to effectively synchronise their activity as a colony. Larger wild animals often communicate using pheromones as well. To release their scents, sloth bears rub their feet on the ground, and big cats urinate to mark their territories and ward off rivals.

• Touch: Some animals communicate through touch. We often observe primates grooming each other. This helps them to strengthen their social relationships. Elephants are often seen comforting each other with tender touches of their trunks. Dolphins use their fins for soft touches as well to reinforce close relationships with members of their pod; similar social bonding is found among species of bats that nuzzle one another.

Here are some of the unconventional forms of communication used by different wildlife species:

Singing in the Deep

Perhaps one of the most beautiful forms of animal communication occurs in the depths of the oceans, where whales use complex vocalisations for communication. Songs created by male humpback whales can be carried across hundreds of metres in the ocean, and scientists suggest they sing together as part of their breeding behaviour. The call between a mother humpback whale and her calf, however, is soft and low, and is aptly called a “whisper”. Toothed whales such as pilot whales and killer whales even employ clicks and whistles to communicate with each other. In fact, killer whales also have distinct dialects that they follow in their pods, making their communication different from those in other pods.

The Dance of the Honeybees

Have you ever wondered how it would be if we could convey instructions and messages to each other through dance? That is exactly what honeybees do. Within a given hive, a worker bee performs the ‘waggle dance’ when it discovers an ample source of nectar. The angle and the duration of the dance tell the other bees the whereabouts of the food. The dance is often very fervent when the source of nectar is closer and richer. Research has shown that honeybees may even modify their dance in response to environmental factors like wind speed and obstructions between the food source and the hive.

The Secret Code of Elephants

Elephants are among the most emotionally aware animals on the planet, and their communication style is remarkable. They use infrasound, which are deep rumbles that reverberate through the earth and can be heard by people miles away, in addition to their loud trumpeting. They even communicate using sounds and gestures.

Bani, a baby elephant rescued in 2024 that now resides at the Elephant Hospital Campus (EHC), vocally communicates in the most endearing manner during mealtime. When hunger kicks in, Bani makes a distinctive rumbling noise, followed by enthusiastic trumpeting—all directed at her caregivers. It’s her way of telling them that she is looking forward to her next meal!

Wild elephants summon their loved ones, warn them of danger, and track each other’s presence — all thanks to sound waves they can produce with their rumbles and stomps. To keep their young near and safe, mother elephants also communicate with their calves using unique vocalisations.

The Art of Butterfly Mimicry

To evade predators, certain kinds of butterflies use a remarkable survival tactic called mimicry, in which they mimic the look or behaviour of other animals. The viceroy butterfly, for example, imitates the poisonous monarch butterfly using a mimicry pattern in which a harmless species copies the poisonous or repulsive ones to evade predators. Furthermore, certain noxious butterfly species become similar in appearance to strengthen the predator’s avoidance behaviour. Visual deception sure is a clever way to ensure survival!

So, from now on, whenever you hear birds chirping outside, remember that they are communicating! The language of nature is incredibly rich and varied, and continues to astound scientists and wildlife enthusiasts.

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Feature image: Hemanta Bijoy Chakma/ Wildlife SOS