Short Wave Move over, humans—lemurs have rhythm, too
May 12, 2023
Get ready to groove as scientists uncover that lemurs can sing with rhythm! Discover how these Malagasy marvels challenge our understanding of music's origins. Comparisons to iconic beats, like Queen's 'We Will Rock You,' reveal fascinating patterns in their vocalizations. The conversation dives deep into the connections between animal communication and human musicality, exploring how rhythm might have evolved separately from language. It’s a delightful exploration of music, nature, and the surprising talents of our furry friends!
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Snowball the Dancing Cockatoo
- Scientists observed Snowball, a cockatoo, dancing to a Backstreet Boys song.
- He could follow the beat even when the tempo changed, proving he has rhythm.
Lemur Rhythm Discovery
- Scientists discovered rhythm in lemur songs, published in 2021.
- This is the first time this type of rhythm has been observed in a mammal besides humans.
Defining Rhythm
- Rhythm is defined as structure in time, not necessarily a regular beat.
- Examples like speech and Morse code demonstrate rhythm without a beat.