These Superpowered Animals Use Your 5 Senses, But Better

TL;DR

Some animals possess super senses that allow them to hear ultrasonic sounds, sense small vibrations, smell underwater, taste with their entire bodies, and see in the ultraviolet spectrum.

Transcript

Thanks to Brilliant for supporting this episode of SciShow. Go to Brilliant.org/SciShow to learn how you can take your STEM skills to the next level! [♪ INTRO] There’s a lot going on in this world that we can sense using the five senses most people agree we have: hearing, touch, smell, taste, and sight. But there’s also so much that we’re completel... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧡 Some animals can communicate using sounds that are outside the human auditory range.
• 🕵️ Insects like treehoppers can detect and communicate through small vibrations.
• 👁️‍🗨️ Moles can capture scents underwater by sniffing back in air bubbles.
• 😋 Flies use taste sensors all over their body to determine the suitability of their food.
• 😋 Reindeer can see in the ultraviolet spectrum, which helps them detect food and predators.
• 🙈 Humans have limited abilities compared to these animals in terms of hearing, sensing vibrations, smelling underwater, tasting with the entire body, and seeing in the ultraviolet spectrum.
• 💨 These examples highlight how different animals have adapted to sense their environments in unique ways.

Questions & Answers

Q: Can rats communicate with each other using sounds that are outside the human auditory range?

Yes, rats can produce ultrasonic vocalizations that are higher pitched than what humans can hear. They use these sounds to communicate with each other, especially during courtship.

Q: How do insects like treehoppers communicate using vibrations?

Treehoppers produce pulses on leaves or twigs to communicate with each other using vibrations. Other treehoppers can sense these vibrations through their legs and thorax and can even differentiate between front and back vibrations.

Q: How do moles detect scents underwater?

Moles swim underwater and blow bubbles with their noses. By sniffing these bubbles back in quickly, they can trap scents inside and detect smells without inhaling water.

Q: How do flies taste their food?

Flies have taste sensors on their head, body, legs, wings, and ovipositor. They first taste their food with their leg sensors and only consume it if it meets their flavor specifications.

Q: How do reindeer see in the ultraviolet spectrum?

Reindeer have eyes that allow ultraviolet light to pass through thanks to their cornea and lens. They also have a pigment called SWS1 that responds to close wavelengths, allowing them to see lichen (which absorbs UV light) and wolves (whose fur absorbs UV light) against the snowy background.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Rats can produce ultrasonic sounds that are outside the human auditory range, allowing them to communicate with each other without humans being aware.

• Insects called treehoppers, like the thorn bug, use vibrations to communicate and navigate their environment.

• Moles can capture scents underwater by sniffing back in air bubbles, allowing them to track down food.

• Flies use taste sensors on their head, body, legs, wings, and ovipositor to taste flavors and find suitable locations to lay eggs.

• Reindeer can see in the ultraviolet spectrum, allowing them to spot lichen, a food source, and wolves, predators, against the snowy background.