Exploring the Sounds of Dinosaurs: From Demonic Growls to Fascinating Hisses

The idea of dinosaurs making demonic or terrifying sounds in the movies is a common misconception. However, utilizing scientific evidence and comparisons with existing species, we can better understand the sounds these prehistoric creatures might have made.

Do Dinosaurs Really Roar?

Dinosaurs weren’t demons, and thus they didn't make demonic sounds. No soft tissues are preserved, so the exact sounds they made remain a mystery. The closest modern analogs are birds, which can provide some clues about dinosaur sounds. The idea of dinosaurs thundering like in films is largely obsolete.

Current scientific findings suggest that some dinosaurs used closed-mouth vocalization. For example, at least according to scientist’s current theories, the sound that Tyrannosaurus rex made could be described as a low, audible sound rather than a roar.

Big Carnivores and Their Scariest Roars

Large carnivores in the modern world are known for their intimidating vocalizations. Lions, for instance, have the scariest roars, while crocodiles and alligators have a range of sounds from hissing to deep growling. Their sheer size would amplify the effect of these sounds.

Imagining that a dinosaur like the Tyrannosaurus rex doubled the power of a lion or a crocodile due to its size would make its sounds incredibly terrifying, especially in the wild.

The Most ‘Demonic’ Sounds Today

While no one alive today has heard a dinosaur's actual sounds, the Tasmanian Devil's sounds are among the most demonic today. These marsupials emit deep, guttural vocalizations that can be quite frightening.

Scientific evidence and comparisons with birds can help us understand the types of sounds non-avian dinosaurs might have made. For instance, the prehistoric Parasaurolophus is thought to have a crest that could produce eerie sounds, akin to a trumbone. A study used a CT scan to investigate the crest and played harmonics through it, producing interesting results.

Understanding Dinosaur Sounds

While dinosaurs didn’t 'roar' like modern portrayals suggest, they were known to make some eerie noises. Scientists have theorized that some dinosaurs, such as troodontids, could have produced a low, barely audible growl that could be felt rather than heard. This growl would have been especially eerie and terrifying in the dark.

The exact sounds of non-avian dinosaurs remain a mystery, but the idea of giant underwater creatures producing loud, deep calls could be quite terrifying. Imagine a creature the size of a dinosaur emerging from a deep river or lake, its loud, low-pitched call echoing through the night. This is the kind of sound we might speculate a dinosaur’s underwater cousin could make.

Conclusion

While we can never know the exact sounds of dinosaurs, scientific evidence suggests they had a diverse range of vocalizations, from deep growls to hisses. These sounds, when compared to modern analogs and the sheer size of certain species, can help us imagine the terrifying atmosphere they once inhabited.