Department of Psychology

Audiogram of the least weasel (Mustela nivalis)

 

Data from: Heffner, R.S., and Heffner, H.E. (1985) Hearing in mammals: The least weasel. Journal of Mammalogy, 66, 745-755.

 

Absolute thresholds (in dB re 20 µN/m2) for two least weasels

(designated A and B)

 

Frequency

(in kHz)

Individual Thresholds

(in dB)

 

Average

A

B

.016

89

69

79

.0315

73

60

66.5

.063

62

52

57

.090

56

43

49.5

.125

46

44

45

.250

27

35

31

.500

17

18

17.5

1

2

-2

0

2

-8

-8

-8

4

6

2

4

8

1

7

4

16

1

-1.5

0

32

6

10

8

45

6

20

13

64

68

70

69

 

Lowest and highest frequencies audible at sound

pressure levels (SPL) ranging from 30 to 70 dB SPL

SPL

(in dB)

Lowest audible frequency (in kHz)

Highest audible frequency (in kHz)

70

.026

64

60

.050

60

50

.087

56

40

.160

52

30

.255

49.5

 

Additional Parameters:

Body weight = 45 g

Functional interaural distance= 76 µs

(Time required for sound to travel around the head from one auditory meatus to the other.)

 

Comments: Threshold values taken from original data.

Last Updated: 6/27/22