Can Animals Mimic Human Speech? While parrots are known for mimicking speech, no aquatic animal had been recorded doing so until NOC. His low-frequency, human-like sounds were the first definitive proof of this ability in belugas. How Belugas Mimic Speech Belugas use their nasal cavities, not vocal cords, to create sound. NOC likely developed this skill after frequent exposure to human speech. Orcas Mimic Too In 2018, researchers confirmed orcas could imitate words like “hello” and “bye-bye,” showing advanced vocal learning. The Implications NOC’s ability to mimic speech raises intriguing questions about marine mammals’ communication abilities, inspiring further research into their intelligence
