University of Maryland biologists have identified a hidden sensory talent in geckos that's shaking up what we thought we knew about animal hearing.

New study reveals geckos have a sixth sense to detect vibrations, challenging previous beliefs about reptile hearing.

But this ancient inner pathway, which is typically linked to balance, helps geckos detect vibrations that travel through mediums like the ground or water,” study co-author and University of Maryland biologist Catherine Carr said in a statement.

Scientists at the University of Maryland have found that geckos have an unusual way of sensing vibrations that is changing what we know about how animals hear. In a study published on October 4, 2024,

Researchers have discovered that geckos use their saccule, a part of the inner ear associated with balance, to detect low-frequency vibrations.