Viral on social media, before the devastating earthquake in Turkey occurred, animals behaved strangely. That said, animals have given a sign of impending disaster.
Scientifically, there are indeed scientific reasons that animals can detect natural disasters, and there are even studies that support it. This idea has also been a theory that has been believed since ancient times. There are also many examples of this case in various natural disasters that have occurred throughout human history.
Summarized from various sources, Thursday (9/2/2023) here are 10 animals that are said to have a sixth sense and can detect impending natural disasters.
Bird
Before the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, many reported birds flying erratically over snow-covered buildings. In fact, birds are indeed one of the animals that are sensitive to signs of nature.
A study shows, there will be a decrease in the activity carried out by birds since three weeks before the earthquake occurred.
In fact, very little activity was seen a few days before the incident. Scientists call birds flying in a rollicking and chaotic manner one of the possible markers of a major natural disaster.
Dog
Dogs are often chosen as pets because they are smart and have a very sensitive sense of smell. This also helps the dog to detect a hazard that can occur due to nature.
When a dog feels that something dangerous is coming, his body seems to shake and he is afraid to do anything. In the case of the Turkish and Syrian earthquakes, many reported dogs behaving strangely and constantly howling before the quake occurred.
Frog
According to a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, frogs are thought to be one of the earthquake detection animals.
Frogs are very sensitive to chemical changes in groundwater so they can detect the arrival of an earthquake. From changes in chemical reactions in groundwater, frogs will move away from the epicenter to save themselves.
Cow
According to research conducted in Japan, cows are also one of the animals that can detect natural disasters. The high level of sensitivity makes cows able to detect earthquakes from afar.
Elephant
When an elephant suddenly rebels and cannot calm down, this animal may detect an impending natural disaster. This large-bodied animal has a high level of sensitivity because it has sharp hearing.
Three-quarters of elephant language is infrasound, which means it cannot be understood by humans. To note, elephants sometimes cry when natural disasters will occur.
Ant
Red ants can detect changes in the Earth's electromagnetic field and sense carbon dioxide emissions before disaster strikes. Usually, the ants will disperse from the nest and flee to safer places. In Indonesia, the Javanese people still believe that ants can be a sign of impending floods.
Bee
Bees are never seen flying before it rains, because these animals can sense the humidity in the atmosphere which requires them to take shelter in the hive.
This ability also allows him to feel changes in air pressure which can detect something that will happen in nature. Therefore, bees are animals that can detect natural disasters.
Lion
Moments before the earthquake in China, animals such as lions and tigers in zoos looked very restless, they were walking around. At that time, nearly 20 lions and tigers exhibited abnormal behavior in the run-up to the natural disaster.
stork
Prior to the earthquake and tsunami disaster in Aceh and Nias, there was an unusual natural sign. The storks that usually live normally in the area around the beach suddenly flocked to fly away from the beach area.
This symptom has never happened before. This event is an example of the belief that storks are one of the animal detectors of natural disasters.
Oarfish
Japanese people believe that the sudden appearance of a rare fish called oarfish is a sign that an earthquake and tsunami will come.
Myths about oarfish have been around for a long time, and were once associated with the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Fukushima in 2011 which killed more than 20,000 people.
A Kyodo News report said dozens of oarfish washed up on Japanese beaches within a year before the natural disaster occurred.