Animals that talk include Beluga Whales, Cats, Parrots, Chimpanzees, and Crows.
The mimicry of human speech by animals has intrigued people for centuries. The fascination with talking animals is likely due to the belief that humans are the only species capable of language.
Researchers at the University of Vienna have discovered that African grey parrots (pictured above) can learn words and combine them into new sentences. The findings were reported in the journal Current Biology. Prior to this study, researchers believed that only humans could combine words into new sentences.
This is because language requires a working memory for combining word meanings, as well as an understanding of the syntax (the rules that govern how words are combined into phrases and sentences).
Examples of Animals that that Talk
1. Beluga Whale
| Scientific Name | Delphinapterus leucas |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Russia, Canada, and Greenland |
| Diet | Carnivore |
The beluga whale is a small, toothed whale that is found in the Arctic and subarctic waters. These whales are known for their unique vocalizations, which include clicks, whistles, and moans.
In fact, belugas have one of the most complex repertoires of any cetacean species. Scientists believe that the whales use their vocalizations to communicate with one another, as well as to hunt and navigate.
2. Campbell’s Mona Monkey
| Scientific Name | Cercopithecus campbelli |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | the Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Senegal, and Sierra Leone |
| Diet | Herbivore |
The Campbell’s mona monkey is a small New World monkey found in the rainforests of Colombia and Ecuador. This species is notable for its ability to mimic human speech. Researchers have recorded the monkeys making sounds that resemble words and phrases such as “hello,” “bye bye,” and “how are you?”
The Campbell’s mona monkey is also known for its wide range of facial expressions. These features have led some experts to refer to the monkey as a “talking” primate, but this terminology is misleading. While they can mimic sounds, these monkeys do not use their vocalizations to form words and sentences in any meaningful way.
3. Cats
| Scientific Name | Felis catus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Carnivore |
Cats are well-known for their ability to communicate with people. They make a wide range of vocalizations, including meows, purrs, and trills. Cats also use body language to communicate with each other and with people.
For example, they will arch their backs when they are angry or scared, and they will flatten their ears when they are happy or relaxed.
4. Chimpanzees
| Scientific Name | Pan troglodytes |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Uganda and western Tanzania |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Chimpanzees are perhaps the best-known example of an animal that talks. They use a wide range of vocalizations to communicate with each other, including grunts, barks, and hoots. Chimps also use facial expressions and body language to convey their messages.
Related Article: Are Chimpanzees Cannibalistic?
5. Crows
| Scientific Name | Corvus |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Crows are known for their intelligence and ability to communicate with each other. They use a variety of vocalizations to communicate, including caws, chatters, and screams. Crows also use body language to communicate, such as flapping their wings or nodding their heads.
Read Also: Is Hawaiian Crow Native to Hawaii?
6. Dogs
| Scientific Name | Canis lupus familiaris |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Dogs are perhaps the best-known example of an animal that talks. They use a wide variety of vocalizations to communicate with each other and with humans. barks, whines, growls, howls, and yelps are all used by dogs to convey different messages.
7. Elephant
| Scientific Name | Loxodonta |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | eastern and southern Africa |
| Diet | Herbivore |
Elephants are well-known for their loud trumpeting noise, which they use to communicate with each other over long distances. They can also make a variety of other noises, such as humming and rumbling, that serve specific purposes such as warning others of danger or inviting them to join in a celebration.
8. Goats
| Scientific Name | Capra aegagrus hircus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Herbivore |
Goats are well-known for their vocalizations, and they use a variety of different sounds to communicate with each other. They make bleating noises when they’re happy or content, and they’ll also baa in distress or when they’re trying to get someone’s attention
Goats can also be quite vocal when they’re angry or in pain, and they’ll make a loud, high-pitched sound that’s similar to screaming. Goats are very sociable animals who enjoy being around other goats as well as humans (they’re often used for therapy work).
9. Gorillas
| Scientific Name | Gorilla |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | equatorial Africa |
| Diet | Herbivore |
Gorillas are another species of animal that communicates with a variety of vocalizations. They use different sounds to communicate different emotions, such as happiness, sadness, anger, and fear.
For example, when gorillas are happy they’ll make a contented sound called “pant-hooting”, and when they’re angry or scared they’ll make a loud, threatening noise called “bellowing”.
Gorillas are also very tactile animals, and they use body language to communicate with each other. For example, when two gorillas meet they’ll often hug each other as a sign of greeting.
Related Article: Bear vs Gorilla
10. Humans
| Scientific Name | Homo sapiens |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Worldwide |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Humans are very sociable animals that communicate in a variety of different ways. They use vocalizations, such as talking or laughing, and they also use body language to convey their thoughts and feelings.
Humans can be quite complex when it comes to communicating with each other, but this is because they’re able to think at an advanced level. For example, humans can use sarcasm and irony in their conversations, which often causes confusion for those who don’t understand it.
11. Orca
| Scientific Name | Orcinus orca |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Antarctica, Norway, and Alaska |
| Diet | Carnivore |
Orcas are known for their incredibly complex language. They use a variety of sounds to communicate everything from hunger to pleasure. In fact, scientists have been able to decipher the meaning of over 200 orca vocalizations. Orcas are also very tactile animals, and they use body language to communicate with each other.
12. Parrots
| Scientific Name | Psittaciformes |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Australia, South America, and Central America |
| Diet | Omnivore |
Parrots are well-known for their ability to mimic human speech, and they use this skill to communicate with each other. They can imitate a wide range of sounds, including words, whistles, and even laughter.
Parrots are also quite vocal when they’re happy or excited, and they’ll often make a loud squawking noise to show their enthusiasm about something.
Related Article: What Eats Parrots?
13. Putty Nosed Monkey
| Scientific Name | Cercopithecus nictitans |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Guinea |
| Diet | Omnivore |
The putty nosed monkey is a small, tree-dwelling monkey that lives in West Africa. This species is known for its loud vocalizations, which it uses to communicate with other monkeys as well as predators.
Putty nosed monkeys make a variety of different sounds, including barks, howls, and screams. They also have a very distinctive warning call which sounds like “pyow, pyow, pyoo!” and is used to alert other monkeys in the area that there’s danger nearby.
14. Seal
| Scientific Name | Pinnipedia |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | the Arctic and Antarctic waters |
| Diet | Carnivore |
Seals are marine mammals that live in the ocean, and they communicate with each other using a variety of vocalizations. Seals make barking noises when they’re content or happy, and they also make grunting sounds as well as whistles.
Seal pups will bleat loudly to get their mothers’ attention if they’ve become separated from her in water. Seals use body language and scent signals as well.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.