What sound do rats make? - briefly
Rats emit high‑pitched squeaks, chirps, and occasional chattering sounds; they also produce ultrasonic vocalizations beyond the range of human hearing. These calls serve communication, alarm, and social interaction functions.
What sound do rats make? - in detail
Rats communicate primarily through high‑frequency vocalizations that humans perceive as short, sharp noises. The most common audible call is a brief squeak produced when the animal is startled, handling food, or interacting with conspecifics. This squeak typically lasts 0.05–0.1 seconds and ranges from 5 kHz to 20 kHz, with the upper frequencies often beyond human hearing.
In addition to the audible squeak, rats emit ultrasonic calls that serve specific social functions:
- « ultrasonic chirps » (≈ 40–80 kHz) emitted during play or mating rituals; these calls are brief bursts lasting 10–30 ms.
- « ultrasonic trills » (≈ 20–30 kHz) associated with mother‑pup bonding; mothers respond with nurturing behavior.
- « alarm calls » (≈ 22 kHz) produced when a predator is detected; the low‑frequency tone warns nearby conspecifics.
The acoustic structure of each call differs in frequency modulation, duration, and harmonic content, enabling listeners to distinguish context and emotional state. Laboratory recordings show that stress increases call amplitude and reduces inter‑call intervals, while positive interactions lower frequency and extend call duration.
Behavioral observations confirm that rats adjust vocal output according to environmental cues, social hierarchy, and physiological condition. Consequently, the full repertoire of rat sounds comprises both audible squeaks and a range of ultrasonic signals, each tailored to specific communicative needs.