Giraffes are among the most recognizable animals. There is a common perception that these creatures are largely silent, moving through their habitats without vocalizing. However, scientific investigations reveal they produce a surprising array of sounds.
The Sounds Giraffes Produce
Giraffes produce a variety of vocalizations. They are known to emit low-pitched grunts and snorts. Hisses are also part of their repertoire, produced by expelling air forcefully through their nostrils. In moments of discomfort or frustration, giraffes may produce soft moans and grumbles.
One of the most intriguing sounds giraffes make is a low-frequency hum, typically heard at night. Younger giraffes, or calves, have a broader vocal range and can produce sounds like bleats and mews. Additionally, giraffes have been observed making cough-like sounds and even occasional sneezes.
Why and When Giraffes Vocalize
Giraffes vocalize for various reasons. Grunts and snorts frequently serve as warning signals, particularly when a giraffe feels alarmed or threatened, alerting other herd members to potential danger. Hissing is also used as a defensive mechanism when confronted, sometimes accompanied by aggressive body language such as neck swinging.
Moans and grumbles are generally subtle expressions of distress or irritation, such as when approached too closely by other animals or humans. The distinctive nocturnal hums are thought to play a role in maintaining group cohesion, especially when visibility is low. While the precise purpose of these hums remains under investigation, some theories suggest they aid in social bonding or serve as contact calls between separated individuals. Mother giraffes may also use loud bellows when searching for their offspring, and calves might bleat when hungry or moo to their mothers as a cry for help.
Dispelling the Myth of Silence
The pervasive myth that giraffes are silent animals stems from several factors, primarily the infrequency of easily audible sounds and the subtle nature of many of their vocalizations. Humans often do not perceive these sounds because they can be very low in frequency or simply not loud enough for casual observation. Their long necks were once theorized to make vocalization difficult due to the challenge of sustaining airflow over such a distance, potentially limiting the range and volume of sounds they could produce.
However, recent studies using bioacoustics have actively challenged this misconception. Researchers have conducted extensive recordings, including an eight-year study collecting over 940 hours of audio from giraffes in zoos, to systematically identify their vocal repertoire. While some earlier theories suggested giraffes might use infrasound, sounds below the human hearing range, like elephants, direct evidence for this is inconclusive, and hums have been found to be within the audible range. This dedicated research continues to reveal the complexity of giraffe communication, showing they are more vocal than previously assumed.