watch One-Minute World News

News Front Page
Africa
Americas
Asia-Pacific
Europe
Middle East
South Asia
UK
Business
Health
Science & Environment
Technology
Entertainment
Also in the news
-----------------
Video and Audio
-----------------
Programmes
Have Your Say
In Pictures
Country Profiles
Special Reports

Related BBC sites
Page last updated at 08:21 GMT, Monday, 22 February 2010

How elephant secret language is used to announce a birth

Advertisement

There is more to the way elephants communicate than the well-known trumpet call.

The creatures also use a low-frequency 'rumble' - like a growl - which includes a component that is not audible to the human ear.

Using specially-developed acoustic software, researchers at San Diego Zoo in the US have discovered that pregnant elephants make a change to their low-frequency sound when they are about to give birth - thereby alerting the rest of the herd.

The other elephants then react by forming a barrier around the mother to protect her from potential predators.

Matt Anderson of San Diego Zoo's Institute for Conservation Research explains.

SEE ALSO

Story Tools

Editor's Choice

BBC News Website Improvements to the BBC News Website
Skip to top

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

BBC iD

Sign in

BBC navigation

Copyright © 2015 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.

Americas Africa Europe Middle East South Asia Asia Pacific