ClassX Video Lessons What Sound Does a Giraffe Make? FreeSchool Presents a closer look at Giraffe Sounds
Giraffes are amazing animals that are easy to recognize because of their super tall necks and cool spots. Most people know they live in Africa, but not many know about the sounds they make. Let’s explore the secret world of giraffe sounds!
Giraffes are usually very quiet. For a long time, people thought that their long necks made it hard for them to make sounds. Some scientists believed that because their necks are so long, it was tough for them to push air from their lungs to make noises.
In 2015, scientists made an exciting discovery about giraffes. They found out that giraffes do make sounds, especially at night! The most interesting sound they make is a low, gentle hum. This sound is called “humming.”
The scientists spent eight years studying giraffe sounds. They listened to almost a thousand hours of recordings. During this time, they heard giraffes hum only 65 times. This shows that while giraffes can make sounds, they don’t do it very often.
Besides humming, giraffes can make other noises too. They can snort, grunt, and even make short coughing sounds called “bursts.” But the humming sound is the most special and usually happens in the dark.
Now that you know about the sounds giraffes make, you can see how special these animals are. Their unique sounds add a bit of mystery to their already fascinating nature. Next time you think of giraffes, remember they have a secret language of their own!
Sound Detective: Go on a sound hunt in your backyard or a nearby park. Listen carefully and try to identify different animal sounds. Can you hear birds chirping, dogs barking, or insects buzzing? Write down or draw the sounds you hear. Think about why some animals might be quieter than others, just like giraffes.
Giraffe Humming Experiment: With a parent or teacher, try to create your own “giraffe hum.” Use a cardboard tube (like a paper towel roll) and hum into it. Notice how the sound changes. Experiment with different lengths of tubes or materials to see how the sound varies. Discuss why you think giraffes might hum at night.
Animal Sound Matching Game: Create a set of cards with pictures of different animals on one side and their sounds on the other. Mix them up and try to match the animal with its sound. For example, match a dog with “bark” or a cat with “meow.” Include a giraffe and write “hum” on its card. Talk about why some animals might use sounds more than others.
