Scientists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) have discovered that fringe-lipped bats learn to differentiate between palatable and toxic frogs and toads as they mature. Published on April 29 in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the study provides the first evidence that these eavesdropping predators refine their hunting skills through experience, much like humans learning to avoid scams.
Fringe-lipped bats, found from Panama to Brazil, rely on frog and toad mating calls to locate prey. However, not all calls lead to a safe meal, some frogs are toxic or too large to handle. The study revealed that while adult bats avoid unpalatable prey, juveniles initially respond indiscriminately to calls, only later learning to distinguish toxic species.
The research team tested wild-caught adult and juvenile bats using recordings of 15 local frog and toad species. Adults consistently avoided toxic prey, but juveniles showed no such preference, indicating that the ability to identify dangerous prey develops over time. Notably, juveniles could already recognize larger prey, suggesting size discrimination is innate, while toxicity detection is learned.
“It’s remarkable that bats hunt using the calls of another species, and we’ve long wondered how they acquire this skill,” said lead author Logan James, a postdoctoral researcher at STRI. “Our findings show that learning plays a critical role.”
Rachel Page, a senior author and STRI staff scientist, added, “Like human children, young bats need experience to refine their discrimination abilities.”
This study underscores the importance of early-life experience in shaping predatory behavior. The findings may apply to other predators navigating complex sensory environments, offering new insights into how animals adapt to their ecological challenges. Future research could explore similar learning mechanisms in other species.
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