Researchers Have Figured Out How To “Translate” Bat Talk Turns Out, They Argue A Lot
Researchers inputted the recordings of Egyptian Fruit Bat calls into a machine learning algorithm software system. They then analyzed corresponding video to see if they could match the calls to certain activities. They discovered the bat squeaks are not just random. They were able to classify 60 percent of the calls into four different categories.
One of the calls specifically indicates the bats are arguing about food.
Another type of call indicates a dispute about their positions within the sleeping cluster.
A third call is reserved for males making unwanted mating advances.
The fourth type of call happens when a bat argues with another bat who is sitting too close.
Not only that, the researchers discovered the bats make slightly different versions of the calls when speaking to different individuals within the group. Essentially, each bat in the colony has their own name. The researchers point out that besides humans, only dolphins and a few of other species are known to address specific individuals rather than just making broad communication sounds.