Bats Learn to Discriminate Between Tasty and Toxic Frogs Through Experience
2025-05-03
Scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) have discovered that fringe-lipped bats, known for eavesdropping on frog and toad mating calls to locate prey, learn to distinguish between palatable and unpalatable amphibians through experience. Adult bats effectively differentiate between edible and toxic frogs, a skill lacking in juveniles. Young bats need time and experience to hone this crucial ability. This study provides the first evidence that eavesdropping predators refine their hunting cues throughout development, highlighting the critical role of early life experiences in shaping predatory behaviors in the wild.
(phys.org)