The Loudest Animals on Earth: Top 15

Loudest Animals on Earth infographic

In a previous blog article, I wrote about the animals with the longest lifespan. This time I will focus on sound and noises. The natural world is full of sound. If you walk through a rainforest jungle (especially at night) you will be far from a peaceful forest. It will be a symphony of animals producing such a variety of sounds. Some animals are whisper-quiet, while others crank up the volume like nature’s own rock concert. In this blog, we’re diving into the top 15 loudest animals on earth—those vocal giants and sonic boomers that make you wonder how such noise can come from fur, feathers, or fins.

Sound level meters capture changes in air pressure to measure the loudness of animal sounds in decibels, providing accurate readings of these impressive vocalizations.

Whether they use their voices to warn rivals, attract mates, or coordinate their pods and troops, these species are built to be heard. Ready to meet the noisiest animals on Earth? Let’s make some noise.

1. Sperm Whale – 230 Decibels

The serm whale already holds the title for the animals with the biggest brain in the world. The undisputed champ when it comes to the loudest animal on earth is the sperm whale. Producing clicks that can reach an ear-splitting 230 decibels, these underwater giants use sperm whale clicks for echolocation and long-distance communication. Their clicks can travel miles through ocean water and are used to track prey like squid in pitch-black depths. At close range, these clicks could theoretically rupture human eardrums.

Sperm Whale | Photo by Sergio Hanquet

2. Blue Whale – 188 Decibels

The blue whale is the largest animal ever to live, and its voice is just as colossal. The blue whale's call, with its deep, rumbling tones, reaches up to 188 decibels and can travel over 500 miles underwater. Blue whales use their voices to communicate across ocean basins. While not as loud as the sperm whale, their songs are more melodic and haunting, designed for long-distance contact.

Blue Whale | Photo by Rich Carey

3. Greater Bulldog Bat – 137 Decibels

This might surprise you: a bat makes the top three. The greater bulldog bat uses high-frequency echolocation calls reaching 137 decibels. The lesser bulldog bat, a relative of the greater bulldog bat, also uses powerful echolocation calls that can reach impressive sound levels. While these frequencies are beyond human hearing, their intensity is extraordinary for such a small animal. These calls help them locate fish in murky waters at night. The greater bulldog bat uses its powerful echolocation calls to detect prey in murky waters.

Greater Bulldog Bat | Photo by Felineora CC BY-SA 3.0

4. Howler Monkey – 140 Decibels

If you’ve ever walked through a rainforest in central america, and thought the jungle was yelling at you, it might’ve been a howler monkey. These primates are among the loudest land animals, capable of emitting howls up to 140 decibels. Males use their enlarged hyoid bones to amplify sound, letting their voices carry for three miles or more through dense forest. Some of their vocalizations are produced with a closed mouth, enhancing their resonance.

Howler Monkey are among the loudest animals | Getty Images

5. Moluccan Cockatoo – 129 Decibels

This bird might be beautiful, but it’s also ear-drum-threateningly loud. The Moluccan cockatoo, also known as the salmon crested cockatoo, can reach 129 decibels when alarmed or excited. That’s louder than a rock concert. In the wild, their calls help them stay in touch over long distances, but in captivity, they’re known to scream for attention. Salmon crested cockatoos are an intelligent and noisy species native to eastern Indonesia, with distinctive pink plumes and are the loudest members of the parrot family. Their loud squawking is crucial for communication within dense forest habitats, aiding in forming social connections.

Moluccan Cockatoo can be very loud when exited or scared | Photo by Oppie muharti

6. Lion – 114 Decibels

One of Africa’s most iconic animals, the lion’s roar is not just symbolic; it’s one of the loudest terrestrial animal calls, reaching 114 decibels. A lion’s bellowing call can be heard from five miles away. Roars are used to claim territory, communicate with pride members, and ward off rivals. The deep, thunderous sound is made possible by specialized vocal cords that remain loose and vibrate easily.

The Lion’s roar is the loudest terrestrial animal calls | Getty Images

7. Elephant – 117 Decibels

Elephants are already among the animals with the longest gestation periods in the world. These animals also use low-frequency rumbles and trumpets that can reach 117 decibels. Their infrasound rumbles can travel several miles, undetectable to human ears, allowing them to communicate long distances. These calls serve as everything from mating calls to warnings about predators.

Elephants use low-frequency rumbles that can reach 117 decibels | Getty Images

8. North American Bullfrog – 119 Decibels

This unassuming amphibian is the loudest frog in North America. Male bullfrogs produce loud mating calls, with a deep, resonant call that can reach up to 119 decibels to attract mates during the breeding season. During breeding season, entire ponds resonate with these guttural booms.

The North American Bullfrog is the loudest frog in North America | Getty Images

9. Kakapo – 132 Decibels

The kakapo is of the unique animals of New Zealand. This bird is a member of the parrot family, and it is a nocturnal flightless parrot from New Zealand. And, it is also one of the loudest birds! During mating season, males produce booming calls up to 132 decibels, which echo through forests to attract females. Sadly, this critically endangered bird is also one of the rarest.

Kakapo bird can be loud during mating season

10. Cicada – 120 Decibels

one of the most famous noises in t nature. You probably have heard this insect before. While tiny, cicadas are among the loudest sound producing insects, capable of producing an astounding 120 decibels of sound. Only male cicadas create a constant buzzing noise using tymbals—specialized sound-producing organs. In some swarms, the collective drone can be deafening, rivaling the volume of a chainsaw.

Cicadas are capable of producing an astounding 120 decibel | Getty Images via Canva

11. Hyena – 112 Decibels

Spotted hyenas are known for their bizarre “laughs,” but their vocalizations are functional and intense. Reaching up to 112 decibels, their whoops, giggles, and groans produce a powerful noise that communicates status, aggression, and group cohesion. Packs can be located from miles away by their haunting sounds.

The Hyena “laugh” can reach up to 112 decibels | Photo by erllre

12. Beluga Whale – 120 Decibels

Beluga whales produce whistles, clicks, and chirps at volumes nearing 120 decibels. These social mammals rely on sound to navigate Arctic waters and maintain tight family units. Their vocal range is among the most diverse in the animal kingdom. Beluga whales also use their vocalizations to interact with other animals in their environment.

Beluga whales produce whistles at volumes nearing 120 decibels | Photo by Slow motion Gli

13. Green Grocer Cicada (Australia) – 121 Decibels

Australia has some of the rarest animals in the world. The green grocer cicada of Australia, is one of the many fascinating cicada species, emits one of the loudest insect calls, clocking in at 121 decibels. Found mostly in summer, their chorus becomes a constant background hum. They use specialized membranes to create vibrations amplified by internal air sacs.

The Green Grocer Cicada can produce at 121 decibels | Photo by Andrew Waugh

14. Peacock Mantis Shrimp – 200 Decibels (Underwater)

Though not a vocal animal, the mantis shrimp produces intense sonic blasts through rapid strikes of its raptorial claws, registering nearly 200 decibels underwater. These blasts create a very loud sound, showcasing the shrimp's impressive ability to generate such high decibel levels. The tiger pistol shrimp is another species known for its loud sound production, capable of generating sound levels over 200 dB. This sonic weapon stuns or kills prey instantly. It’s not a sound in the traditional sense but is equally as forceful.

Mantis shrimp produces intense sonic blasts | Photo by Alberto Carrera

15. Northern Elephant Seal – 126 Decibels

During mating season, male northern elephant seals, a marine mammal, produce booming vocalizations that can reach 126 decibels. As one of the loudest species among marine mammals, these bellows serve to intimidate rivals and attract mates. The calls resonate through coastal colonies and are critical in establishing dominance.

Northern Elephant Seals can produce booming vocalizations that can reach 126 decibels | Photo by Jeremy Richards

Cetaceans: Dolphins and Whales - Masters of the Ocean’s Soundscape

Dolphins and whales, or the cetacean family, are the maestros of the ocean’s soundscape! They can produce a symphony of clicks, whistles, and loud vocalizations that can travel for miles. As mentioned before, the sperm whale, for instance, is a true heavyweight in the world of loud animals, with its clicks reaching an astonishing 233 decibels—louder than a jet engine. These powerful clicks are essential for echolocation, allowing sperm whales to navigate and hunt in the pitch-black depths of the ocean. On the other hand, the blue whale—the largest animal on Earth—produces low-frequency sounds that can reach up to 188 decibels. These deep, resonant calls can travel across entire ocean basins, facilitating long-distance communication between blue whales. Whether it’s the ear-splitting clicks of the sperm whale or the haunting songs of the blue whale, these marine giants rely on their loud vocalizations for survival in the vast, dark ocean.

Blue Whales’ Migration: A Journey of Sound

The blue whale’s migration is a remarkable journey, not just of distance but of sound. These ocean giants travel thousands of miles across the seas, guided by their powerful vocalizations. Blue whales produce a variety of sounds, from low-frequency rumbles to high-pitched clicks, which can be heard for hundreds of miles. These sounds are crucial for communication and navigation, helping blue whales stay connected with their pod and find their way through the vast ocean. During their migration, the ocean’s soundscape is further enriched by the calls of other loud sound-producing insects, like the green grocer cicada, creating a unique symphony of natural noises.

Bottlenose Dolphins’ Intelligence: The Brain Behind the Echo

Bottlenose dolphins are renowned for their intelligence, which is reflected in their sophisticated use of sound. These highly intelligent animals produce a wide range of clicks and whistles, which they use for communication and echolocation. The bottlenose dolphin’s brain is highly developed, with a large cerebral cortex and an advanced auditory system, allowing them to process and interpret complex sounds. This intelligence enables them to exhibit behaviors such as cooperation, problem-solving, and self-awareness. The loud clicks and whistles produced by bottlenose dolphins are not just random noises; they are a testament to the dolphin’s cognitive abilities and their ability to thrive in their aquatic environment.

What Makes an Animal So Loud?

Sound level is measured in decibels (dB), and anything above 120 dB can hurt human ears. Decibels measure sound pressure, which helps quantify the loudness of animal sounds. The loudest animals on earth produce sounds that far exceed this threshold, often for survival. Whether it’s to attract mates, scare off predators, or navigate, these noisy animals have evolved unique ways to amplify their voices. Let’s explore how loudness works in nature and why it matters. Several anatomical and environmental factors contribute to animal volume:

• Vocal sacs and air sacs amplify sound in frogs and whales.

• Specialized bones, like the hyoid in howler monkeys, enhance resonance.

• Body size allows larger animals to generate more powerful sound waves.

• Environment influences how far sound travels (e.g., sound moves faster and farther underwater).

The Science of Sound in the Animal Kingdom

Animals produce sound in fascinating ways—using vocal cords, vibrating membranes, or even specialized body parts. Certain animal sounds, despite being loud, may not be harmful to the human ear if they fall outside the detectable frequency range. Snapping shrimp species, like Synalpheus pinkfloydi, produce intense sounds through their snapping claws. Whales, for example, push air through nasal passages to create underwater songs, while cicadas generate their signature buzz using tymbals, drum-like structures on their abdomen. According to research published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, many of the loudest animals on Earth rely on low-frequency sounds, which can travel great distances, particularly through water. These adaptations not only serve communication, but also mating, territory defense, and survival—setting the stage for our countdown of the loudest animals on Earth.

Animal Sound and Human Hearing

Human hearing is sensitive to a wide range of frequencies, but it is not equipped to handle extremely loud sounds. Prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 dB can cause hearing loss, and sounds above 120 dB can cause immediate harm. The human eardrum can rupture at around 200 decibels, and the loudest animals on Earth, such as the sperm whale and blue whale, produce sounds that are beyond the range of human hearing but can still cause physical harm if we are too close. It is essential to appreciate these animals from a safe distance and to respect their natural habitats. Additionally, understanding the impact of human activities, such as ocean noise pollution, on animal communication and behavior is crucial for conservation efforts. Ocean noise pollution, caused by activities like commercial shipping and oil drilling, can interfere with the communication and navigation of marine animals, leading to stress and potential long-term health issues. By supporting conservation efforts and advocating for quieter practices, we can help preserve the natural soundscapes that these incredible animals rely on.

The Impact of Noise Pollution

While the loudest animals on Earth have evolved to thrive in their sonic environments, human-generated noise is throwing that balance off. Some of the world's loudest creatures can reach sound levels that are comparable to that of jet engines, which emphasizes the impact of animal sounds on hearing and the environment. Activities like commercial shipping, sonar use, oil drilling, and recreational boating contribute to underwater noise pollution, interfering with how marine animals communicate, navigate, and hunt. A WWF report highlights that chronic noise exposure causes stress in whales, potentially leading to long-term health issues and reduced reproductive success. Terrestrial species aren’t spared either—urban noise can drown out bird calls and mating songs. Supporting organizations like Ocean Conservancy and advocating for quieter, wildlife-conscious practices can help preserve these vital natural soundscapes.

Is the Loudest Animal Always the Biggest?

Not necessarily. While some of the largest animals, like sperm whales and elephants, are loud, smaller creatures like the bulldog bat or cicada can also rank high due to specialized adaptations. For example, the salmon-crested cockatoo is the loudest member of the Cacatuidae family, with its distinctive squawking noise reaching extreme decibel levels. Loudness depends more on anatomy and function than size alone.

Loudness Doesn’t Always Mean Communication

Some loud sounds, like the mantis shrimp’s shockwave, are used for hunting rather than vocalization. The greater bulldog bat, also known as the fisherman bat, uses echolocation to hunt for fish in rivers and ponds. Similarly, some loud sounds, like those produced by snapping shrimp, are used to stun or kill small prey. Others serve multiple functions—like warding off predators or claiming territory.

Protecting the Loud Voices of the Wild

Some of these loudest animals in the world are endangered. Male white bellbirds are recognized as the loudest birds in the world, using their calls to attract females. The loud sounds produced by these animals can cause physical pain to humans, highlighting the importance of preserving their natural habitats. From climate change affecting whales to habitat loss threatening monkeys and kakapos, these creatures need our attention. Their calls aren’t just noise; they’re survival tools that deserve to be preserved.

Turning Up the Volume on Nature

From the deep-sea booms of the sperm whale to the jungle calls of howler monkeys, the loudest sound produced by animals on earth shows just how dynamic and diverse animal communication can be. Whether they’re warning, wooing, or wailing, each call has a purpose. And while their voices echo across oceans, jungles, and deserts, one message is clear: nature is never silent.