Are piglets able to recognize and respond to human voices?

This research, published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, indicates that piglets (Sus scrofa domestica) are indeed sensitive to human voices. They can differentiate between unmodified human voice and background noise, showing a preference for the human voice. This suggests an innate ability to recognize and respond to human vocalizations.

How do piglets react to changes in rhythm and pitch in human speech?

The study revealed that piglets respond differently to variations in speech rhythm and pitch. For example, they approached the loudspeaker more quickly when it broadcasted a rapid rhythm. Additionally, they spent more time near a loudspeaker emitting a 'high-pitched and slow' voice compared to a 'low-pitched and rapid' one. This demonstrates their capacity to perceive and react to these specific prosodic features.

Can piglets understand human emotions conveyed through voice?

Interestingly, the piglets did not show a noticeable difference in behavior when exposed to voices expressing different emotions (happiness vs. anger) or intonations (interrogation vs. command). This implies that while they can distinguish voices and certain acoustic features, spontaneously understanding the emotional intent behind the human voice appears to be more complex and may require additional learning or contextual cues. The study does not explore the impact of visual cues paired with audio, or the impact of multiple encounters.

What are the implications of these findings for improving piglet welfare?

The findings suggest that understanding the rhythm and pitch sensitivities of piglets can lead to improved animal husbandry practices. By adjusting the prosodic features of our speech, we can potentially create a more positive and stress-free environment for the animals. Further research could explore how tailored vocal communication can optimize piglet welfare, growth, and social interaction. It could also investigate how combined audio-visual cues impact communication.

Who conducted the research on piglet prosody, and what was their approach?

Sandy Bensoussan, Raphaëlle Tigeot, Alban Lemasson, Marie-Christine Meunier-Salaün, and Céline Tallet are the researchers credited with the groundbreaking study. Their work provides new insights into the cognitive abilities of piglets (Sus scrofa domestica) and underscores the importance of considering acoustic communication in human-animal interactions. Future studies could build upon their research by exploring how early vocal exposure and individual differences impact a piglet's ability to interpret complex human vocalizations.

Piglets listening to human voice.

Piglet Prosody: Can Baby Pigs Understand Human Voice?

Nico Varela in Science & Nature December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Decoding the Acoustic Secrets of Human Speech for Swine: A Breakthrough in Animal-Human Communication."

For years, research has focused on how animals respond to visual cues and physical interactions with humans. However, the role of sound, especially the nuances of human speech, has remained largely unexplored. Recent studies are starting to uncover the fascinating ways animals perceive and interpret our voices, paving the way for deeper understanding and improved communication.

A groundbreaking study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science sheds light on the acoustic sensitivities of domestic piglets (Sus scrofa domestica). Researchers Sandy Bensoussan, Raphaëlle Tigeot, Alban Lemasson, Marie-Christine Meunier-Salaün, and Céline Tallet investigated whether piglets could not only hear human voices but also discriminate between various prosodic features—the rhythm, pitch, and intonation that give our speech meaning beyond the words themselves.

This article explores the key findings of their research, revealing how piglets respond to different aspects of human voice and what this tells us about their cognitive abilities and the potential for voice-based communication.

Unveiling the Acoustic World of Piglets: What the Study Revealed

The researchers conducted a series of experiments involving 42 piglets, divided into three groups. These piglets were exposed to different sound scenarios to gauge their responses to human voices and their ability to distinguish between various vocal cues. The study focused on several key areas:

To assess the piglets' ability to distinguish human voices from other sounds and to assess their sensitivity to human voices, the study was divided into three choice tests. The key findings from the study are as follows:

Human Voice vs. Background Noise: Piglets were offered a choice between unmodified human voice and background noise to test if they had attractiveness to human voice. The piglets gazed more rapidly and for longer at the human voice.
Variations in Rhythm and Pitch: The study tested how the piglets responded to artificially modified voices like low vs high-pitched. The study found that the piglets approached the loudspeaker broadcasting the rapid rhythm more rapidly. They also spent more time near the loudspeaker broadcasting the 'high-pitched and slow' voice than near the one broadcasting the 'low-pitched and rapid' voice.
Emotional Intent and Intonation: The study evaluated their reactions to recorded voices expressing different emotions (happiness vs. anger) and intonations (interrogation vs. command). There was no difference in observed piglet behaviour between the two broadcast voices.

These results indicate that while piglets can distinguish human voices and respond to certain prosodic features like rhythm and pitch, they may not be able to spontaneously understand emotional nuances or intentions conveyed through voice alone.

What Does This Mean for Animal-Human Relationships?

This research offers significant insights into how animals perceive and respond to human communication. Understanding that piglets are attentive to the rhythm and pitch of our voices opens new avenues for improving interactions and welfare practices in animal husbandry.

Further research is needed to explore whether piglets can learn to associate specific vocal cues with certain outcomes, such as feeding times or comforting interactions. This could lead to the development of vocal communication strategies that enhance animal well-being and reduce stress.

By continuing to investigate the acoustic world of animals, we can develop more effective and empathetic approaches to interacting with them, fostering stronger bonds and improving their overall quality of life.