What are some advantages and/or disadvantages associated with infrasonic or very low frequency communication?
Due to the nature of low-frequency sound waves, which attenuate at a slower rate than higher frequency waves, powerful very low frequency calls can travel distances of several kilometers before dropping to inaudible levels, allowing for relatively long-distance communication between elephants. Elephants’ infrasonic vocalizations are also below the hearing threshold of most other land mammals, which may make it possible for them to have some quiet “secret communication” about matters of survival, such as warnings to other nearby elephants, without alerting their human or other predators. A disadvantage of infrasonic communication is the relatively high level of background noise in this low frequency range caused by wind and human generated noise. Machines such as cars, planes, and generators are increasingly encroaching on elephant communication channels as the human population continues to grow at a rapid rate and as tourists unthinkingly invade the elephants’ domain with noise polluti
