Dissecting Decibels: The Loudest Animals

(LIVE SCIENCE, www.LiveScience.com Tiny Noisemaker An insect called the "lesser water boatman" (scientific name Micronecta scholtzi) is only 0.08 inch long (2 mm) but it is the loudest animal ever to be recorded, relative to its body size. Acoustic pressure adjusted for body size 35 Units are a ratio of decibels to body size 30 25 20 15 10 LESSER SNAPPING SPECKLED BRONZE MESQUITE BOTTLE- WINTER COMMON AMERICAN HUMAN NOSE DOLPHIN AFRICAN WATER SHRIMP BUSH- DAINTY FROG CICADA WREN FRUIT ALLIGATOR ELEPHANT BOATMAN CRICKET FLY At an ear-splitting 236 decibels, the sperm whale is the loudest known animal when not adjusted for body size. SOURCE: DR. JAMES WINDMILL, UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE KARL TATE, LiveScience.com