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.

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

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

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,

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