Dogs often act anxious or bark excessively before major quakes. Scientists say their sharp senses pick up changes in air pressure and static electricity before a storm or quake hits.
Oarfish, deep-sea creatures, are seen as earthquake omens in Japanese folklore. Before Japan’s 2011 Tohoku quake and a 4.6 magnitude quake in California (2024), oarfish washed ashore — possibly reacting to underwater tremors.
Cows, sheep, and dogs in northern Italy were found to behave restlessly before earthquakes in a scientific study, especially those near the epicentre.
Toads may also sense quakes early. In 2009, common toads abandoned their breeding site days before a 6.3 magnitude quake in Italy, returning only after the seismic activity stopped.
Cats have shown odd behaviour like hiding or meowing excessively before quakes. Experts suggest they may detect subtle P-waves before the more destructive S-waves arrive.
Birds flew inland before the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Their ability to sense low-frequency infrasonic waves could explain their early reaction.
Snakes have a long-documented history of fleeing before quakes. Ancient records from 373 BCE Greece and modern events in China show snakes escaping hibernation before tremors — possibly reacting to ground vibrations or magnetic changes.
Elephants are believed to detect infrasound — low-frequency vibrations — from miles away. During the 2004 tsunami, elephants in Thailand reportedly moved to higher ground before the waves arrived.
