The ominous howl of the wolf has long been a source of fear and fascination for mankind. But new research shows they’re not so different from people – for every wolf has its own distinct voice. By recording and analysing wolf howls, scientists have discovered a new way of identifying individual animals.
Holly Root-Gutteridge of Nottingham Trent University has developed sound analysis code that can tell which wolf is howling with 100% accuracy. Previously, pitch was used to tell wolves apart, but these only achieved an accuracy rate of 76%. Adding information about volume – or “amplitude” – to the code was key to increasing its accuracy, according to Root-Gutteridge.
via Ars Technica
Image: Indiana.gov
