What sound do rats make when they whistle? - briefly
Rats emit a brief, high‑pitched squeak that sounds like a tiny whistle.
What sound do rats make when they whistle? - in detail
Rats can emit a high‑pitched, brief whistle when they are startled or communicating with conspecifics. The sound originates from rapid airflow through the larynx, similar to a human squeak, but the frequency typically ranges between 10 kHz and 20 kHz, often beyond the upper limit of human hearing. When audible, the whistle is a sharp, almost metallic chirp lasting less than a second.
Acoustic characteristics:
- Fundamental frequency: 12–18 kHz for most laboratory strains.
- Harmonic structure: strong first harmonic, diminishing higher overtones.
- Duration: 0.2–0.8 s, with a rapid rise‑time and abrupt decay.
Behavioral contexts:
- Alarm response – emitted when a rat perceives a sudden threat.
- Social interaction – used during brief encounters with unfamiliar individuals.
- Exploration – occasionally produced while navigating novel environments.
Physiological mechanism involves contraction of the cricothyroid muscle, which tightens the vocal folds and forces air out of the trachea. The resulting vibration produces the ultrasonic component. Electromyographic studies show a burst of activity in the laryngeal muscles coinciding with the audible pulse.
Research findings indicate that the whistle intensity correlates with the animal’s stress level; higher cortisol concentrations accompany louder, higher‑frequency emissions. Ultrasonic recording equipment captures the full spectrum, revealing that rats often supplement the audible whistle with ultrasonic calls that serve as long‑distance signals.
In summary, the rat whistle is a brief, high‑frequency sound generated by rapid laryngeal airflow, audible within a narrow frequency band, and primarily associated with alarm and brief social communication.