5 Animals That Make The Craziest, Most Unexpected Noises
In a review of Mara Grunbaum's forthcoming book, WTF Evolution, NPR's Robert Krulwich asks an important question: what on earth was going on, evolutionarily speaking, when the lynx developed its distinctive (and distinctively strange) vocalization? Here's what we're talking about:
Lynxes are graceful, beautiful creatures whose noises don't seem to match their stunning exteriors. But they aren't alone -- plenty of other animals also produce strange sounds that throw the brain for a loop upon hearing them.
1) Cheetahs
Cheetahs may be swift runners, but they sound more like birds in flight -- literally. The big cats chirp when communicating with other cheetahs, to avoid attracting another, less closely related relative: the lion.
2) Possums
Brushtail possums are small marsupials that live primarily in Australia and New Zealand (where they were introduced with disastrous effects), but they sound more like cars that refuse to start. The animals are known for having a revving chortle, which truly resembles the noises made by broken machinery.
3) Piranhas
Pirhanas bark. Yes, that's right: they bark like dogs. The predatory fish makes an array of different vocalizations, specifically when prompted for "combat." They've also been recorded making a low, thudding noise, which researchers suspect means they're ready to fight.
4) Koalas
Northern mockingbirds are known for being exceptional imitators, mimicking noises of birds much larger and more predatory than themselves. They sing at all hours of the day, but they don't always sing the same tune: sometimes, the tiny songbirds will mimic frogs or even car alarms.