
What The Duck?! Are animals musical?
Oct 31, 2025

Guest
David Teie

Guest
Assistant Professor Adena Schachner

Guest
Dr. Chiara De Gregorio

Guest
Dr. Stuart Watson
Join Dr. Stuart Watson, a primate researcher who studies chimpanzee behavior, and Dr. Chiara De Gregorio, who explores lemur vocalizations, as they dive into whether animals can create and enjoy music. Assistant Professor Adena Schachner shares fascinating insights on parrots that can dance to a beat, while musician David Teie reveals how he crafts music specifically for cats using purrs and rhythms that resonate with feline listeners. Discover if some animals dance, drum, or even prefer their own music!
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Episode notes
Chimp Builds A Drum And Plans A Performance
- Dr. Stuart Watson observed a chimpanzee,
Evidence Of Short-Term Planning
- Ernie's actions show short-term forward planning beyond immediate reaction.
- This challenges the view that non-human animals live solely in the present.
Indri Songs Have Structured Rhythm
- Dr. Chiara De Gregorio found indri songs follow precise timing and multiple rhythmic categories.
- Indris use rhythms analogous to human patterns like

