Big Cats Can Distinguish Familiar and Unfamiliar Human Voices, Study Finds
When we think of big cats like tigers and cheetahs, we often imagine them as solitary creatures, aloof and uninterested in human interaction. However, a recent study has revealed that these majestic animals have the ability to differentiate between familiar and unfamiliar human voices. This suggests that even animals that prefer to live alone are far from socially inept.
While domesticated cats have previously been found to recognize the voice of their owners, researchers wanted to investigate whether this ability extended to their exotic cousins. Led by Prof Jennifer Vonk from Oakland University, the team conducted a study involving various big cat species, including lions, clouded leopards, snow leopards, and servals. These cats lived in captive settings such as zoos, sanctuaries, and nature preserves.
The study began with a pilot study involving seven cats from five different species. Following this, a larger study was conducted with 24 cats from 10 species. Sixteen of these cats had been hand-reared by humans, while eight were reared by their own mothers. Each cat was exposed to audio recordings of three unfamiliar humans speaking the same phrase: “Good morning, how are you doing today?” This was followed by a recording of the same phrase in a familiar voice, such as that of the animal’s keeper. Finally, another recording featured an unfamiliar voice repeating the phrase.
The researchers observed and analyzed the cats’ reactions and behaviors in response to each playback. They looked for signs such as shifts in gaze, head movements, approaching or moving away from the sound, and vocalizations like hisses or growls. The results were striking.
Regardless of sex or rearing method, the cats responded more quickly, for longer durations, and with greater intensity to the familiar human voice compared to the four unfamiliar voices. Even when excluding lions, the only wild cat known to live in large social groups, the results remained consistent. Surprisingly, the inclusion or omission of the cats’ names in the phrases made little difference.
“I was surprised the results were as clear-cut as they were,” said Prof Jennifer Vonk, co-author of the study. These findings suggest that the ability to recognize individual human voices is not a result of domestication but rather a consequence of regular exposure to humans. Vonk believes that similar results would likely be found in wild cats if they were exposed to the same human voices frequently enough.
However, it’s important to note that the study has its limitations. The small sample size prevented the researchers from separating the results by species. Additionally, all of the cats involved in the study were housed in captivity, with most of them being reared there.
Despite these limitations, the study provides fascinating insights into the social cognition of big cats. “I think for the public it’s interesting to think that even non-domestic cats are registering who’s looking after them,” said Prof Vonk. This research challenges the perception that these animals are aloof and indifferent, suggesting that they may have a greater capacity for social interaction than previously believed.
In conclusion, big cats possess the remarkable ability to distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar human voices. This skill may have evolved in the wild to help them identify their own cubs and stay aware of potential threats in their surroundings. While further research is needed to fully understand the extent of this ability in both captive and wild cats, this study sheds light on the complex social lives of these magnificent creatures.