Frog’s Ears Can Switch Frequencies Like Radios

Just as humans tune into individual radio stations, an unusual Chinese frog can shift its hearing from one frequency to another in order to selectively choose what it hears, according to a paper published in this week’s Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The frog, Odorrana tormota, is the only known animal in the world that can manipulate its hearing system to select particular frequencies. Humans appear to possess a modicum of control, but our system is slow compared to that of the frog and we cannot, with precision, tune our ears to match sounds.

The rare amphibian likely evolved its hearing talent out of necessity, since its environment is so noisy.

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Tagged as: Amphibians, Chinese Frogs, Frogs, Hearing Systems, National Academy of Sciences, Odorrana tormota