What sounds do rats make? - briefly
Rats produce a range of vocalizations, including high‑frequency squeaks, chirps, and low‑pitched squeals, often accompanied by brief teeth‑chattering sounds. These noises serve communication, alarm, and social interaction functions.
What sounds do rats make? - in detail
Rats communicate through a range of vocalizations that differ in frequency, duration, and behavioral context. Their repertoire includes both audible and ultrasonic sounds, each serving specific functions.
Audible calls are typically low‑frequency squeaks or chirps that humans can hear. These sounds occur during:
- Distress – short, high‑pitched squeals emitted when the animal experiences pain or fear.
- Aggression – rapid, harsh chirps produced in confrontations with conspecifics.
- Social interaction – soft, repetitive chatter during grooming or play, signaling affiliation.
Ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) exceed the human hearing threshold, usually between 20 and 80 kHz. USVs are categorized by pattern and purpose:
- 22‑kHz calls – long, monotone pulses lasting several seconds, associated with negative emotional states such as anxiety, threat, or post‑defeat conditions.
- 50‑kHz calls – brief, frequency‑modulated bursts lasting 10–100 ms, linked to positive experiences, including mating, reward anticipation, and social bonding. Subtypes within the 50‑kHz range (flat, trill, step) reflect nuanced emotional content.
Physiological studies show that the basal ganglia and limbic system modulate USV production, while the periaquonal gray influences audible squeaks. Playback experiments confirm that conspecifics respond differentially: 22‑kHz calls elicit freezing or avoidance, whereas 50‑kHz calls increase approach behavior and exploratory activity.
In laboratory settings, researchers record rat sounds using high‑frequency microphones and spectrographic analysis. Typical parameters include:
- Sample rate: ≥ 192 kHz to capture the full ultrasonic spectrum.
- Duration: measured in milliseconds for USVs, seconds for audible calls.
- Frequency modulation: quantified by slope and bandwidth to distinguish call types.
Understanding this vocal spectrum aids in assessing animal welfare, interpreting stress levels, and investigating neurobehavioral mechanisms.