Singing lemurs open their mouths wider on higher notes, just like opera sopranos, a study finds

From the Newshound archive · first published 21 September 2026.

University of Warwick scientists studying indri lemurs — the world's only singing primates — have found the animals use vocal techniques identical to those of trained opera singers. Researchers discovered the lemurs open their mouths wider as notes climb higher, a hallmark of classical soprano performance.

The indri is the only lemur species known to sing, producing complex coordinated calls in the wild.

Warwick scientists spent years in the field recording and analysing the lemurs' vocal behaviour before identifying the link.