University Of Oxford Researchers Discover Ultrasound Hearing In Hedgehogs Offering New Strategy To Prevent Road Traffic Fatalities

Oxford University researchers discover hedgehogs hear ultrasound, leading to proposed car repellers that could save thousands from road traffic accidents.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 11, 2026, 5:07 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from University of Oxford

Discovery of High Frequency Auditory Capabilities

The European hedgehog, a species recently reclassified as "near threatened" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, may have a hidden biological tool that could aid in its conservation. Researchers at the University of Oxford have demonstrated for the first time that these mammals can hear in the ultrasonic range, far exceeding the auditory limits of humans. By testing the auditory brainstem response of rehabilitated hedgehogs, the team confirmed that the animals detect signals between 4 and 85 kHz, with peak sensitivity occurring at 40 kHz.

Biological Adaptations for Ultrasonic Perception

To understand the physical mechanics behind this high-frequency hearing, the research team conducted high-resolution micro-CT scans to create the first 3D interactive model of a hedgehog’s ear. According to the study, the scans revealed a unique internal structure characterized by small, dense middle-ear bones and a stiffened joint between the eardrum and the first ear bone. This anatomical configuration is a hallmark of ultrasound-sensitive animals, such as echolocating bats, as it allows high-pitched vibrations to pass efficiently through the auditory chain to the brain.

Technological Solutions for Road Traffic Mitigation

The discovery opens the door for a novel conservation technology aimed at reducing the high mortality rates associated with road traffic, which is estimated to kill up to one-third of local hedgehog populations. Lead researcher Assistant Professor Sophie Lund Rasmussen suggests that the next phase of the project involves collaborating with the automotive industry to design ultrasonic acoustic repellents. These devices would be engineered to emit frequencies that deter hedgehogs from approaching moving vehicles without disturbing humans or domestic pets like dogs and cats, which have different hearing ranges.