What sound does a field mouse make? - briefly
A field mouse usually produces high‑pitched squeaks or soft chirps, occasionally sounding like brief teeth‑clicks. These calls serve for communication and alert signaling.
What sound does a field mouse make? - in detail
Field mice produce a narrow range of audible vocalizations that can be classified by purpose and acoustic profile.
The most common sound heard by humans is a high‑pitched squeak lasting 0.1–0.3 seconds. This brief chirp is emitted during social interaction, such as when juveniles solicit care from the mother or when adults signal mild agitation. The fundamental frequency of the squeak typically falls between 8 kHz and 12 kHz, a range that overlaps the upper limit of human hearing.
When confronted with predators or experiencing acute stress, the mouse emits a longer, more urgent series of rapid squeaks. These distress calls have a higher repetition rate (up to 10 calls per second) and may include frequency modulation that rises from 10 kHz to 14 kHz. The pattern serves to alert conspecifics and may trigger evasive behavior in nearby individuals.
During the breeding season, males produce soft, repetitive chirps that differ from the distress squeak in both duration (0.2–0.4 seconds) and pitch (approximately 7 kHz). These courtship calls are less abrasive and are used to attract females and establish territory boundaries.
Field mice also generate ultrasonic emissions beyond the human audible spectrum, typically ranging from 20 kHz to 70 kHz. These ultrasonic clicks are employed for close‑range communication, especially in dense vegetation where visual cues are limited. Researchers have recorded bursts of ultrasonic pulses lasting 5–15 milliseconds, often organized in rhythmic sequences that convey information about individual identity and reproductive status.
Key characteristics of field mouse vocalizations:
- Audible squeak: 8–12 kHz, 0.1–0.3 s, social or mild alarm.
- Distress series: 10–14 kHz, up to 10 calls / s, predator response.
- Courtship chirp: ~7 kHz, 0.2–0.4 s, male breeding display.
- Ultrasonic click: 20–70 kHz, 5–15 ms bursts, close‑range signaling.
Acoustic analysis indicates that the amplitude of audible calls ranges from 40 dB to 60 dB SPL at a distance of 10 cm, while ultrasonic emissions are lower in amplitude (30 dB SPL) but travel efficiently through foliage due to reduced scattering. Field observations confirm that these sounds are integral to the mouse’s survival strategy, facilitating predator avoidance, parental care, and reproductive success.