1,000 HzLowest frequency
300,000 HzHighest frequency
8.2Octaves
15.0×Upper limit vs. humans
How it compares
Greater wax mothsBottlenose dolphinsBeluga whalesBatsMiceRatsCatsOpossumsGerbilsGuinea pigsDogsHedgehogsFerretsSheepRabbitsPigsRaccoonsGoatsCowsHorsesChinchillasHumansElephantsOwlsBudgerigars (parakeets)CanariesCockatielsTree frogsCatfishBullfrogsGoldfishChickensTuna
10 Hz1001 kHz10 kHz100 kHz
Shaded band: typical human range (20 Hz–20 kHz). Log scale.
Good to know
The highest-frequency hearing known in any animal (Moir et al., 2013) – probably an arms race with bat sonar.
Tones greater wax moths can hear
Tones greater wax moths cannot hear
Frequently asked questions
What frequencies can greater wax moths hear?
About 1,000 Hz to 300,000 Hz.
Can greater wax moths hear ultrasound?
Yes – their upper limit is above 20 kHz.
Can greater wax moths 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.