What does a mouse's rustle sound like? - briefly
A mouse's rustle is a soft, rapid brushing noise created by its tiny feet and whiskers moving through dry material. The sound is faint, similar to a light rustling of paper or dried leaves.
What does a mouse's rustle sound like? - in detail
The noise generated when a small rodent moves through dry material is a brief, broadband disturbance audible at low volume. Frequency analysis shows dominant components between 5 kHz and 15 kHz, with a rapid decay after 20 ms. Amplitude rarely exceeds 30 dB SPL in a quiet room, making the sound detectable only at close range.
Key variables influencing the acoustic signature include:
- Substrate type: dry cellulose, paper, or shredded fabric produce sharper transients than moist bedding, which dampens high frequencies.
- Body size and species: larger individuals generate lower‑frequency components, while juveniles emphasize higher tones.
- Movement speed: rapid scurrying creates a series of overlapping clicks, whereas slow navigation yields isolated rustles.
- Health condition: respiratory issues may alter the rhythm, introducing irregular pauses.
Comparative observations:
- The sound resembles a faint whisper of crumpled paper, distinct from the squeak of a mouse’s vocalization, which occupies a higher frequency band (20 kHz +).
- It differs from insect wingbeat noise, which presents a continuous hum rather than discrete bursts.
Detection methods:
- Sensitive microphones with a flat response up to 20 kHz capture the full spectrum.
- Spectrogram analysis isolates individual events, allowing measurement of duration, peak frequency, and intensity.
Understanding these characteristics assists in pest monitoring, laboratory behavior studies, and acoustic identification of small mammals in natural habitats.