The Voices of Nature

April 10, 2023
This illuminating debut by Mathevon, an animal behavior professor at University of Saint-Etienne, breaks down “how animals make and hear sounds, what information is encoded in their sound signals, what this information is used for in their daily lives.” Mathevon delivers fascinating insights into animal communication, noting that songbirds that travel more tend to have larger repertoires, fish find coral reefs by following the “chattering, rasping, squeaking, and growling” noises of the reef’s inhabitants, and mother sea lions wait to leave their pups until they learn to recognize their mother’s cries. Many insects, he adds, have developed eardrums to detect the high-pitch frequencies bats use to echolocate, and some male moths will make calls that mimic bats because they cause female moths to freeze up, making it “easier for him to approach her and convince her to mate.” Some of the more technical explanations will go over lay readers’ heads (“Stridulation is produced when the rasp of the elytron rubs against the scraper,” Mathevon writes of how crickets make noise), but the bounty of stimulating facts about animal communication more than compensates. This will change how readers hear the animals around them. Illus.

Starred review from May 1, 2023

Mathevon's (neurosciences and animal behavior, University of Lyon/Saint-�tienne) first book delves into the world of animal sounds and asks two questions: can animals express emotions, and do animals have language? The result is a fascinating look at why, for instance, birds sing (to attract a partner and repel competitors). Mathevon examines the actual elements of bird songs, the variations of a horse's neigh, termite vibrations, the vocalizations of hyenas, the impact of vibration on coral reefs, and the sounds of penguins, walruses, and crocodiles. There's a QR code that links to samples of the sounds discussed within the book, making this an interactive reading experience. The breadth of research is impressive, as is the direct language used to express the complicated science behind sound itself. The author is full of optimism for the growth of research within the field, especially surrounding ultrasound waves, and the use of bioacoustics to measure biodiversity and assess the condition of an ecosystem might propel scientists toward solutions for changing climates. VERDICT Exceptional. Sounds may not leave a fossil record, but Mathevon's research will.--Tina Panik

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