Bottlenose dolphins hearing range

Bottlenose dolphins hear frequencies from about 75 Hz to 150,000 Hz – a span of 11.0 octaves. Compared with humans (about 20 Hz–20 kHz), bottlenose dolphins hear higher – up to 150 kHz, well into ultrasound.

75 HzLowest frequency

150,000 HzHighest frequency

11.0Octaves

7.5×Upper limit vs. humans

How it compares

Greater wax moths Bottlenose dolphins Beluga whales Bats Mice Rats Cats Opossums Gerbils Guinea pigs Dogs Hedgehogs Ferrets Sheep Rabbits Pigs Raccoons Goats Cows Horses Chinchillas Humans Elephants Owls Budgerigars (parakeets)Canaries Cockatiels Tree frogs Catfish Bullfrogs Goldfish Chickens Tuna

10 Hz1001 kHz10 kHz100 kHz

Shaded band: typical human range (20 Hz–20 kHz). Log scale.

Good to know

Dolphins use clicks up to well over 100 kHz for echolocation.

Tones bottlenose dolphins can hear

Tones bottlenose dolphins cannot hear

Frequently asked questions

What frequencies can bottlenose dolphins hear?

About 75 Hz to 150,000 Hz.

Can bottlenose dolphins hear ultrasound?

Yes – their upper limit is above 20 kHz.

Can bottlenose dolphins hear infrasound?

No – their lower limit is above 20 Hz.

Sources & credits

Wikipedia – Hearing range (compiled from Fay 1988; Heffner & Heffner) · Approximate hearing ranges from behavioural audiograms (largely Fay 1988 and Heffner & Heffner), usually measured at 60 dB SPL. Individual animals, ages and studies differ.

Range	75–150,000 Hz
Octaves	11.0
Group	Mammals
Taxon	Tursiops truncatus