Baby bats ‘babble like humans’

And other stories from the stranger side of life

A baby bat
(Image credit: ZSL)

Scientists who eavesdropped on bats in Costa Rica have found that their babies babble like humans. The bats produce rhythmic sounds and repeat key “building-block syllables,” said the lead researcher. Dr Ahana Fernandez added: “They just babble away, sunrise to sunset, practising their sounds.” He says they also listen to each other. “One starts, he babbles for 15 minutes or so, and I can clearly see the ears of the other pups moving,” he said.

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