Basic knowledge of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) hearing can improve understanding of deer behavior and may assist in the development of effective deterrent strategies. Using auditory brainstem response testing, we determined that white-tailed deer hear within the range of frequencies we tested, between 0.25–30 kilohertz (kHz), with best sensitivity between 4–8 kHz. The upper limit of human hearing lies at about 20 kHz, whereas we demonstrated that white-tailed deer detected frequencies to at least 30 kHz. This difference suggests that research on the use of ultrasonic (frequencies >20 kHz) auditory deterrents is justified as a possible means of reducing deer–human conflicts.
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1 June 2007
Hearing Range of White-Tailed Deer as Determined by Auditory Brainstem Response
GINO J. D'ANGELO,
ALBERT R. DE CHICCHIS,
DAVID A. OSBORN,
GEORGE R. GALLAGHER,
ROBERT J. WARREN,
KARL V. MILLER
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Journal of Wildlife Management
Vol. 71 • No. 4
June 2007
Vol. 71 • No. 4
June 2007
Auditory brainstem response
deterrent
hearing
Odocoileus virginianus
sound
white-tailed deer
