Hearing in the Crocodilia

Measurements of auditory sensitivity in terms of the cochlear potentials were made in young specimens of three species of crocodilians, Caiman crocodilus and Alligator mississipiensis of the subfamily Alligatorinae and Crocodylus acutus of the subfamily Crocodylinae. These species show considerable similarity in their capabilities for sound reception. All have the best sensitivity in a fairly broad middle range, and fall off for lower tones and particularly rapidly for the high tones. The level of sensitivity in the middle range is of high degree in comparison with other reptiles and with many birds and mammals.