It is a common misconception that snakes are deaf. In fact they can hear very low-frequency sounds although they lack external earflaps to funnel sound waves into their inner ear. Snakes rely on their sense of touch and vibration to communicate and their sense of hearing is believed to be used mostly for detecting predators and prey.
There are a few anecdotal reports of people using whistles to train or control snakes but there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. It is possible that the snakes are responding to the movement of the air rather than the sound waves themselves.
How well can snakes hear?
Answer 1: Snakes can hear very well despite having no outer ear.
They pick up vibrations through the ground and air and use their tongue to “taste” the air for signs of prey.
What kind of hearing do snakes have?
Answer 2: Snakes have inner ear hearing meaning they pick up vibrations through the ground and air and use their tongue to “taste” the air for signs of prey.
Where are a snake’s ear openings located?
Answer 3: A snake’s ear openings are located on the inside of their mouth.
How do snakes ear pick up vibrations?
Answer 4: Snakes ear pick up vibrations through the ground and air.
What is a snake’s tongue used for?
Answer 5: A snake’s tongue is used to “taste” the air for signs of prey.
Do all snakes have the same hearing ability?
Answer 6: No not all snakes have the same hearing ability.
Some snakes such as the deaf adder have very poor hearing.
How do deaf adders communicate?
Answer 7: Deaf adders communicate through lip-reading and tactile cues.
What is the average hearing range for a snake?
Answer 8: The average hearing range for a snake is between 20 Hz and 1000 Hz.
What is the lowest frequency a snake can hear?
Answer 9: The lowest frequency a snake can hear is 20 Hz.
What is the highest frequency a snake can hear?
Answer 10: The highest frequency a snake can hear is 1000 Hz.
Do snakes use their sense of hearing to avoid predators?
Answer 11: Yes snakes use their sense of hearing to avoid predators.
They can pick up on the vibrations of approaching predators and will often flee before the predator is even seen.
Do snakes use their sense of hearing to hunt prey?
Answer 12: Yes snakes use their sense of hearing to hunt prey.
They can pick up on the vibrations of their prey and will often strike before the prey is even seen.
Can snakes hear human speech?
Answer 13: Yes snakes can hear human speech.
However they cannot understand what is being said.
Can snakes hear music?
Answer 14: Yes snakes can hear music.
However they cannot understand what is being said.
Can snakes hear whistles?
Answer 15: Yes snakes can hear whistles.
However they cannot understand what is being said.
