Bat Moms ‘Baby Talk’ to their Pups

Written By Mary Bates
Mother-pup pair of the greater sac-winged bat, Saccopteryx bilineata, in their daytime roost. The pup (dark fur color) is holding on to the mother´s belly (light fur color). Photo credit: Michael Stifter.

Mother-pup pair of the greater sac-winged bat, Saccopteryx bilineata, in their daytime roost. The pup (dark fur color) is holding on to the mother´s belly (light fur color). Photo credit: Michael Stifter.

When talking to infants, people tend to change the speed, pitch and timbre of their voice in a phenomenon known as motherese or baby talk. According to new research, this may not be unique to humans: Some bat moms use their own version of 'baby talk' to communicate with their pups.

Read my latest Animal Minds post: Bat Moms ‘Baby Talk’ to their Pups.

Mary Bates
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