Elephants communicate using infrasonic rumbles below the range of human hearing. These sounds can travel several kilometers through air and ground. Other elephants detect them through ears and feet. Infrasound allows coordination across vast distances. Entire herds can stay connected without visible contact.
It matters because it explains elephant coordination over open landscapes. Communication doesn’t require proximity.
It also shows how limited human senses are compared to other animals. Much of nature’s dialogue is inaudible to us.
Infrasonic calls can last several seconds and carry emotional information. Elephants alter pitch depending on urgency.
National Geographic (nationalgeographic.com)