7/24/2023 0 Comments Female deer sounds![]() The research gives us an insight into the evolution of vocal communication in a mammal, which also has implications for early human vocal development,” said Dr Alan McElligott, biologist at The University of Nottingham, who has been studying the behaviour and biology of fallow deer since 1992. However, recent research suggests that the descent of the larynx is more likely linked to size exaggeration, as is the case with deer. For example, chimps and other primates have a larynx that is situated quite high up in the neck. It was thought that the descent of the larynx was a pre-cursor to the evolution of human speech, by allowing greater freedom of movement of the tongue. The frequencies produced by the vibrations of the vocal chords are closely linked to the dominance status of the animals. In fact, the descended (and also mobile in the case of deer) larynx makes the animal sound bigger than he actually is, suggesting that false advertising in the search for a mate isn't an exclusively human trait. It is these frequencies that indicate body size. As the groan travels from the animal's vocal chords, through its throat and out of its mouth, it is uniquely modulated to create formant frequencies. Deer share a vocal trait with humans - the descended larynx - which increases the length of their vocal tract and allows the groan to deepen. The deer's groan is directly related to body size. This can increase up to 90 times a minute immediately after mating. Males can groan up to 60 times a minute during the 'rut' - the deer mating season, which falls in October. ![]() ![]() These males are also more successful when it comes to getting matings. Data taken from a deer herd in Phoenix Park, Dublin indicate that the males with high dominance status also have the deepest 'groans' (the name of the fallow deer call). Research published this month in PLoS One, an online scientific journal, has shown that female fallow deer are attracted to a deep call.
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