Mammals are the only animals that possess outer ears or pinnae

the verdict

REFUTED

the evidence says no

Recorded sources

0 sources for · 2 against

Counts group repeated records of the same source within each side. They do not measure evidence strength or source independence.

Is it true that mammals are the only animals that possess outer ears or pinnae?

No. The claim that mammals are the only animals with outer ears or pinnae is false, as certain insects such as katydids and bush-crickets also possess cuticular flaps functioning as auditory pinnae.

Verdict: REFUTED · 0 sources for, 2 against · Last checked 4 Aug 2026

The analysis

The claim asserts that only mammals possess outer ears or pinnae. However, retrieved papers explicitly describe auditory pinnae in non-mammalian taxa, specifically insects like katydids and bush-crickets. Therefore, the claim is clearly refuted by the evidence.

Evidence against · 2

An Eocene insect could hear conspecific ultrasounds and bat echolocation.

2023

Get citation

C, W., E, C., & F, M. (2023). An Eocene insect could hear conspecific ultrasounds and bat echolocation.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.10.040

See more details

More against · 1

Comparative Analysis of Morphological and Acoustic Correlates of Bush-Cricket Tympanic Membranes.

2026

Get citation

MN, I., LB, H., D, R., FA, S., & F, M. (2026). Comparative Analysis of Morphological and Acoustic Correlates of Bush-Cricket Tympanic Membranes.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.34133/csbj.0035

Related receipts

Is it true that humans can smell through their ears? REFUTED related question, same topic
Is it true that snakes have ears? CONTESTED related question, same topic
Is it true that aquatic mammals possess specialized hair types? SUPPORTED related question, same topic
Is it true that non-human animals possess an understanding of their own mortality? SUPPORTED related question, same topic

What does the evidence say?

Receipt History

first checked04 Aug 2026

judged → REFUTED · 1404 Aug 2026

Anyone with this link can read the claim and its public receipt, including any personal information in that text. Open permanent receipt.

Check your own claim

Challenge the receipt

I have a source that contradicts this verdict I have a source that supports it No source: request a receipt review Requests are recorded for review. This does not start an automatic check or guarantee a response time.

See the evidence timeline

Citation formatting by citeproc-js (Frank Bennett) and the Citation Style Language project. Source and licenses.

This receipt is an automated verdict against our published method · not an opinion about any author or publication.
Terms · Privacy · How verdicts work