Sea lion proves animals can keep a beat

A sea lion named Ronan beat a group of college students in a rhythmic dance-off, says new study

Sea lion in California
'No human was better than Ronan at all the different ways we test quality of beat-keeping'
(Image credit: Kevin Carter / Getty Images)

What happened

A 15-year-old sea lion named Ronan proved better at keeping a beat than 10 college students in a rhythmic dance-off, researchers reported Thursday in the journal Scientific Reports.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.