Biology
Vocal Individuality and Mother–Offspring Recognition in Pinnipeds
Quick fact
In dense colonies of sea lions and fur seals, a mother and her pup can recognize each other's voices within days of birth, even when separated by hundreds of meters and a cacophony of other animals.
Why this is interesting
Imagine a mother returning to a beach crowded with thousands of wailing pups—how does she find her own baby? Mother seals and sea lions solve this challenge using nothing but sound.