How does ultrasonic sound produced by mice affect cats? - briefly
Mice emit high‑frequency noises that lie above the typical hearing threshold of domestic cats. As a result, these ultrasonic vocalizations produce little to no measurable change in feline behavior.
How does ultrasonic sound produced by mice affect cats? - in detail
Mice emit vocalizations that extend into the ultrasonic spectrum, typically between 30 kHz and 100 kHz. Cats possess a hearing range that reaches roughly 64 kHz, allowing them to detect a portion of these high‑frequency calls. When a cat perceives these sounds, several physiological and behavioral responses can be observed.
The auditory pathway in felines transduces ultrasonic energy into neural signals that activate the midbrain’s auditory cortex and the amygdala, regions associated with alertness and threat assessment. This activation can trigger:
- Increased heart rate and respiratory frequency, indicating heightened arousal.
- Pupil dilation and ear pinning, reflecting a shift to a hunting posture.
- Rapid head and body orientation toward the sound source.
Behaviorally, cats may exhibit:
- Stalking or pouncing motions even without visual confirmation of prey.
- Persistent vocalizations, such as chirps or chattering, directed at the perceived mouse location.
- Exploratory movements, including low‑frequency footfalls and crouched positions, designed to minimize noise.
Experimental data show that exposure to mouse ultrasonic calls reduces the latency of a cat’s attack response by up to 30 % compared to silent trials. However, prolonged or repeated exposure can lead to habituation; the cat’s physiological markers gradually return to baseline, and the frequency of hunting attempts declines.
Environmental factors modulate the effect. Dense vegetation or soft furnishings attenuate ultrasonic transmission, diminishing the cat’s ability to locate the source. Conversely, open spaces with reflective surfaces can amplify the signal, enhancing detection distance to several meters.
In summary, mouse ultrasonic emissions stimulate the feline auditory system, provoke acute physiological arousal, and elicit predatory behaviors. The response intensity varies with sound intensity, frequency content, and the cat’s prior experience, while repeated exposure may produce adaptive desensitization.