What Percent Of The World Can Wiggle Their Ears?

March 01, 2023 Post a Comment

How Many People Can Wiggle Their Ears repro from reprosmall.blogspot.com

Have you ever wondered how many people can wiggle their ears? It may seem like a strange question, but it's one that has intrigued many people over the years. In this article, we will explore the answer to this question and provide some interesting insights into the topic. So, let's get started!

What Does it Mean to Wiggle Your Ears?

Before we dive into the statistics, let's first define what it means to wiggle your ears. Ear wiggling is a voluntary movement of the muscles in the ear that allows a person to move their ears up and down or back and forth. It's a relatively rare ability, and not everyone can do it.

How Many People Can Wiggle Their Ears?

According to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, only about 10-20% of people can wiggle their ears. This means that the vast majority of people are unable to perform this unique feat.

Interestingly, the ability to wiggle your ears is thought to be genetic. If one or both of your parents can wiggle their ears, there's a good chance that you can too. However, this isn't always the case, and some people may be able to wiggle their ears without any family history of the ability.

Why Can Some People Wiggle Their Ears?

The ability to wiggle your ears is thought to be an evolutionary remnant of our ancestors. Our primate ancestors were able to move their ears to better hear predators and prey. While this ability has become less useful over time, some people have retained the ability to wiggle their ears as a result of their genetic makeup.

How to Wiggle Your Ears

If you're one of the lucky few who can wiggle your ears, you may be wondering how to do it. The process is relatively simple and involves using two muscles in your ears, the auricularis anterior and the auricularis superior. To wiggle your ears, you simply need to contract these muscles, which will move your ears up and down or back and forth.

It's important to note that not everyone can wiggle their ears right away. It may take some practice to develop the necessary muscle control to perform this feat.

Ear Wiggling and Health

While the ability to wiggle your ears may not have any direct health benefits, it can be a fun party trick and a conversation starter. Additionally, some people believe that ear wiggling may help to improve blood flow and reduce tension in the neck and shoulders. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.

Ear Wiggling in Pop Culture

Ear wiggling has been featured in popular culture over the years. In the 1960s, comedian and actor Jim Carrey became known for his ability to wiggle his ears, which he often incorporated into his performances. Additionally, the character Mr. Spock from the "Star Trek" franchise was known for his ability to wiggle his ears.

Conclusion

So, what percent of the world can wiggle their ears? According to research, only about 10-20% of people have the ability to perform this feat. While ear wiggling may not have any direct health benefits, it can be a fun and interesting skill to have. Whether you're able to wiggle your ears or not, it's clear that this unique ability has captured the attention of many people over the years.

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