The little fish makes a noise similar to that of a jackhammer

Scientists have found that a tiny fish, measuring about 12 millimeters, produces sounds of more than 140 decibels. This is equivalent to the noise heard by a person 100 meters away from a plane during take-off. The sound of the fish is also compared to that of a gunshot or a jackhammer.

This little fish has the smallest brain of all vertebrates. The species Danionella cerebrum was described in 2021 and inhabits waterways in Myanmar and India. Scientists think the noise serves for communication and fighting between males.

Now look at the other animals that are also noisy.

Sperm whale – Its sound, used for localization, reaches 230 decibels, it is a fast noise, lasting 30 thousandths of a second, but very intense. The noise is equivalent to a shot fired less than a meter away.

The sperm whale is a mammal of Iberian origin that populates the oceans around the world. It is the largest carnivore on the planet. Males reach between 15 and 20 meters. Females, 12 to 14 meters. They weigh up to 80 tons. They can stay in the water for up to 50 minutes without coming to the surface to breathe and dive up to 1,000 meters deep.

Pistol Shrimp – Its sound, reminiscent of a powerful crack, reaches 218 decibels, like the sound of a firearm or an airplane engine. The noise occurs when prey is captured. The crayfish creates a sort of acoustic pressure bubble that “explodes”, in a shock wave that kills the animal next to it. And this “explosion” is very loud.

The pistol shrimp is also called snapping shrimp because of the noise it makes. This species is found on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, in Panama. It is usually found in puddles and gravel on beaches, covered with stones.

Fishing Mallet – Its sound can reach 140 decibels. However, frequencies above 20 kHz make the noise inaudible to humans. Uses noise to locate prey.

The fishing bat mainly inhabits river basin areas, from Mexico to Argentina, on the American continent. At night it flies over the water to catch fish, mainly sardines and manjuba. It also feeds on crustaceans (shrimps and crabs). And insects (moths and cockroaches).

Cicada – Its screeching sound reaches 120 decibels and is so persistent that when a cicada is nearby, the noise disturbs people. The “song” is emitted only by males, for reproduction and to ward off predators. And the sound comes from the abdomen, which has membranes that form an air sac, which works like a sounding board.

Interestingly, there are more than 1,500 species of cicadas living in tropical countries and the Mediterranean basin. Size varies greatly, but some can reach 15 cm in wingspan. In other words, big scary bugs. Cicadas feed on plant sap. They live from 2 to 17 years. The females die after laying their eggs.

Kakapo – Its sound reaches 132 decibels and travels far (heard 6 km away).

Kakapos are rare animals (included in the endangered group) that live in New Zealand. They are flightless birds and get their name because they are nocturnal (kakapo means “night parrot” in the Maori language). When they manage to survive predatory activity, these birds live up to 60 years.

Howler Monkey – Its sound reaches 128 decibels and can be heard about 5 km away. The Howler’s howls simulate the sound of a storm. Therefore, they are also called howler monkeys. They make noises for location, territorial disputes and communication.

Howler monkeys inhabit tropical forests, mainly in Brazil, Argentina and Mexico. They are herbivores and live an average of 20 years. They measure up to 80 cm and weigh up to 7 kg. Its coat comes in different colors, ranging from dark brown to red.

Elephant – The sounds made by elephants are used for communication. And since animals are considered very intelligent, they have different types of “conversation”. One of the most famous noises is what sounds like the sound of a trumpet. This happens at two opposite times: either when they are angry or when they are excited about something.

Elephants are the largest land animals, measuring up to 3.2 meters and weighing up to 7 tons. They inhabit Africa and Asia. Despite its gigantism, which can give it a threatening appearance, the animal is herbivorous. Eats grasses, tree bark and roots. Depending on the species, an elephant can live up to 70 years.

Gray Wolf – The howl of this species ranges from 90 to 115 decibels and, interestingly, can be heard by other wolves at an impressive distance of 190 km. Howls reflect relationships between members of a pack.

Gray wolves inhabit several parts of the Northern Hemisphere. They are mainly found in Canada, Alaska, Asia and Europe. They live about 13 years and are able to run up to 65 km/h, which makes it easier to catch prey. Solitary, they capture smaller animals, such as rabbits and beavers. But, when the prey is large, wolves band together in packs to fight, for example, moose and bison.

Hyena – Its sound of up to 112 decibels sounds like laughter, but it is far from funny. The hyena, contrary to its reputation as the “laughing animal”, is one of the most dangerous carnivorous animals in the world. And it has the strongest bite among mammals.

Hyenas live in Africa and Asia. They are in forests and savannahs. And they live up to 12 years. In addition to hunting animals to eat, hyenas also prey on carrion, animals that are already dead. Furthermore, they have the habit of eating the feces of other animals, such as wildebeests and antelopes.

Lion – Its roar can reach 114 decibels. He uses it to mark off his territory and ward off rivals when he approaches the female.

Popularly known as the kings of the jungle, lions inhabit Africa’s savannas and semi-desert regions. Females generally live longer, between 15 and 16 years. Males, between 8 and 10 years old. Ferocious, lions are capable of massacring large animals, such as zebras, antelopes and giraffes.