The results challenge the long-held theory that "only animals who were vocal learners — like humans and parrots — could learn to find a beat," Hugo Merchant, a researcher at Mexico 's Institute of Neurobiology not involved in the study, told The Associated Press.

At the Long Marine Laboratory in Santa Cruz, California, a 16-year-old sea lion named Ronan loves to put on a show. With her head bobbing in time to a percussive beat, she hits her marks not just with accuracy — but with flair.