SPREADING THE WORD When we think about communication we often think about using our voices to speak Language is an important part of communication It is not the only way we express ourselves though Think about all the ways you communicate with others each day The look on your face and the way you stand can tell others a lot about how you VOCABULARY Communication is the sharing of information A smile or a nod lets people know you are interested in what they are saying 4
are feeling A hug or pat on the back can let a friend or parent know that you care about them Have you ever wondered how animals communicate with each other Much like humans they use their voices and bodies Different animals have amazing ways of attracting mates warning others of danger and finding each other over long distances Animals may not use language like humans but they still have a lot to say 5
For many animals the voice is an important part of communication Elephants for example can make about 70 different sounds These include grumbles cries trumpets roars and snorts Different sounds can act as greetings solve disagreements within a group and warn others that danger is near MAKE SOME NOISE Elephants often trumpet to warn other elephants about danger 6
Not all animals that communicate with sounds use their voices though Crickets use chirps to communicate with each other They chirp by rubbing their front wings together Usually only male crickets chirp They have different songs for different purposes One of the most common songs is the one used to attract females Elephants can recognize dozens of other elephants by the sounds they make How many people could you identify by just the sound of their voice COMPARE AND CONTRAST Male crickets use their front wings to communicate with each other 7
