Catching Droplets

A cat's gotta be fast to trap all that enticing water coming out of the hose

Look at that kitty go! Those are some speedy paws. I think the ungrabbable properties of liquid might still confound kitty’s efforts, but I love that she’s trying her best to trap those enticing droplets coming out of that hose.

I was looking for a little water-related story to go along with this graphic, and unfortunately the news about water and environment is terrible these days, and I know you come here for a daily uplift, so I’ll put this link about the worsening Middle East water and environmental crisis here, but you are not obligated to click on it.

Instead, let’s talk about hedgehogs. The IUCN has added European hedgehogs to their red list as “near threatened” as a result of steep decreases in their population. In the UK the number of these adorable but slow critters has drastically decreased over 30 percent in the last decade, due largely to loss of habitat that has them wandering into roads and into the path of oncoming cars. One study found that up to a third of hedgehog deaths are due to automobile-caused fatalities.

But a study conducted by University of Oxford may help with keeping hedgehogs safe from traffic collisions. Researchers have proven that hedgehogs can hear high-frequency ultrasound at ranges that are even imperceptible to dogs and cats. The study found that the bone structure of hedgehogs was similar to that of echolocating bats, another animal that can process high-pitched sounds effectively. The ear bones in hedgehogs are structured to vibrate quickly, which enable them to perceive a broad ultrasonic range, including high-frequency sound waves.

Why hedgehogs have evolved this sensitive hearing ability is still unknown, but researchers are hopeful that they can use this knowledge as a means to keep hedgehogs away from cars and other threats, such as lawn mowers and other electric gardening tools. They are looking at finding partners in the automotive industry to help fund and develop sound repellents in the range that hedgehogs would hear. Some auto manufacturers already equip their cars with sound-emitting devices designed to decrease collisions with deer. Lead researcher Assistant Professor Sophie Lund Rasmussen says that if effective, such a device could have a “significant impact in reducing the threat of road traffic to the declining European hedgehog.”

Recognizing a hedgehog’s sensitivity to high-frequency sounds may also lead to improved conditions for animals in shelters and treatment centers. A further study of the devices used at refuges will determine if the sounds they emit, while imperceptible to us, are causing stress to sensitive hedgehog ears.

The discovery of hedgehog’s amazing hearing ability offers several paths of further research, with study authors hopeful that new efforts will include an eye towards protecting these creatures. Study co-author Professor David Macdonald adds “It is especially exciting when research motivated by conservation leads to a fundamental new discovery about a species biology which, full circle, in turn offers a new avenue for conservation.”

The source for today’s gif is below.

@yonghui9913

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BBC: “Secret of hedgehog hearing discovered at far beyond human range" by Georgina Rannard, 3/11/26

EuroNews: “European hedgehogs are often hit by cars. Researchers say ultrasound could save them from extinction” by Angela Symons, 3/11/26