Bat behaviors tied to differences in vocalizations suggest personality traits
A team of animal behaviorists at the Leibniz-Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science's, Museum für Naturkunde, and Wageningen University and Research has found an association between different types of vocalizations in Pallas' long-tongued bats and certain behavioral characteristics. In their study, in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the group studied 60 specimens in the lab.
Prior research has shown that all bats vocalize, some more than others. Prior research has also shown that most bat species exhibit social behavior, both through their movements and through their vocalizations. In this new effort, the research team took a closer look at the role vocalizations play in the social behavior of Pallas' long-tongued bats living in a cave in Costa Rica. To that end, they captured 60 males and brought them back to their lab for study.
In trials, the bats were exposed to novel experiences, such as a new environment, a rubber ball or food placed next to a lantern. Each of the bats was recorded as it responded, allowing the researchers to study both physical behavior and any vocalizations.
Those bats who behaved more boldly during their experiments tended to vocalize more than other bats; the same bats also showed more curiosity when shown a rubber ball and they tended to be more likely to sound an alert if they deemed one necessary. The researchers also found that the bats most likely to vocalize were those that appeared more nervous during the experiments and those that responded by moving around more and flying for longer periods.
The research team suggests the differences in vocalizations and behavior is evidence of bat personality differences. They further suggest such differences likely have an impact on social hierarchy, though the researchers were not able to find any evidence. They note that prior research has shown bats sometimes eavesdrop on other bats engaging in echolocation, suggesting they know the other bat is better at finding food—a possible form of hierarchical behavior.
More information: Theresa Schabacker et al, Social vocalisations indicate behavioural type in Glossophagine bats, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2025).
Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B
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