Emily Flores
Silence rarely lasts in nature. Somewhere, an animal is broadcasting its presence with a sound that’s impossible to ignore. What’s fascinating is not only how loud they can be, but why such intensity evolved at all. Their calls stretch across areas and hint at remarkable survival strategies. Let’s uncover 10 animals whose voices rank among the world’s loudest.
Sperm Whale
The record for the loudest sound made by an animal belongs to the sperm whale. At 230 decibels, its clicks dominate the deep ocean. And the volume isn’t for show. Each sound pulse is finely tuned, which allows the whale to detect and pursue giant squid with uncanny accuracy.
Blue Whale
Everyone talks about the size of the blue whale, though its powerful voice is just as striking. At 188 decibels, its low-frequency calls ripple across entire oceans. These deep, rumbling sounds allow individuals to communicate across vast distances. It’s basically survival in a world so wide that only the largest voice will carry.
Kakapo
On quiet New Zealand nights, the ground itself seems to pulse with sound. That’s the kakapo (a nocturnal parrot) sending out booming calls of up to 132 decibels. Males create these resonant signals to reach females as far as 3 miles away, making each call vital to the species’ survival.
Howler Monkey
Walking through dense rainforest, one might think a storm is coming when the echo of a howl rolls in. Instead, it’s the call of a howler monkey, the loudest land animal. At 140 decibels, their amplified voices (powered by enlarged hyoid bones) carry up to 3 miles through the thick canopy.
Northern Elephant Seal
The northern elephant seal dominates not only with size but also with sound. Males produce bell-like calls as loud as 126 decibels, and they echo across beaches and waves. These calls mean they are deciding who earns the right to lead, mate, and rule.
Moluccan Cockatoo
The piercing screech of a Moluccan cockatoo can stop conversations in an instant. Reaching 135 decibels, it is one of the loudest birds kept in captivity. Native to Indonesia’s Seram archipelago, the Moluccan cockatoo pairs loud calls with intelligence and a strong bond.
Tiger Pistol Shrimp
How can something so small rival the noisiest animals in the sea? The tiger pistol shrimp proves size doesn’t dictate volume. With one claw snap, it produces a 210-decibel shockwave. The sudden bubble reaches scorching temperatures, while unlucky prey are instantly disabled by this shrimp’s astonishing burst of sound.
Green Grocer Cicada
At over 120 decibels, the green grocer cicada ranks as the loudest insect on Earth. This extraordinary volume is most noticeable in Australia’s summers, when males gather to call in unison. Their collective chorus creates an unmistakable wall of sound that turns entire regions into one vast buzzing concert.
Greater Bulldog Bat
The greater bulldog bat produces echolocation calls reaching 140 decibels, intense enough to temporarily deafen nearby listeners. Living across Central and South America, this bat uses sound like a spotlight to detect fish just beneath the water’s surface. It’s an extraordinary adaptation for precise nighttime hunting.
Lions
In the vast silence of the savanna, a lion’s roar seems impossible to miss. At 114 decibels, it cuts through distance and travels 5 miles with ease. Unlike other cats, lions often roar together to create a united chorus that declares both territory and the strength of their pride bonds.