Hearing Range of White-Tailed Deer as Determined by Auditory Brainstem Response |
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| Authors: | GINO J. D'ANGELO ALBERT R. DE CHICCHIS DAVID A. OSBORN GEORGE R. GALLAGHER ROBERT J. WARREN KARL V. MILLER |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Education, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;2. Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;3. Department of Animal Sciences, Berry College, Mount Berry, GA 30149, USA;4. Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA30602, USA |
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| Abstract: | Abstract: Basic knowledge of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) hearing can improve understanding of deer behavior and may assist in the development of effective deterrent strategies. Using auditory brainstem response testing, we determined that white-tailed deer hear within the range of frequencies we tested, between 0.25–30 kilohertz (kHz), with best sensitivity between 4–8 kHz. The upper limit of human hearing lies at about 20 kHz, whereas we demonstrated that white-tailed deer detected frequencies to at least 30 kHz. This difference suggests that research on the use of ultrasonic (frequencies >20 kHz) auditory deterrents is justified as a possible means of reducing deer—human conflicts. |
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| Keywords: | auditory brainstem response deterrent hearing Odocoileus virginianus sound white-tailed deer |
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