What sounds does a rat make and what do they mean? - briefly
Rats emit high‑pitched squeaks and chirps for alarm, distress, or social interaction, and low‑frequency ultrasonic clicks for covert signals such as mating or territorial claims. Each vocalization corresponds to a specific behavioral context.
What sounds does a rat make and what do they mean? - in detail
Rats communicate through a range of audible and ultrasonic vocalizations that convey specific emotional states and intentions. The most common sounds include:
- High‑pitched squeaks (≈20–50 kHz): emitted when the animal experiences sudden fear, pain, or encounters a predator. The intensity rises with the level of distress.
- Short, sharp chirps (≈10–20 kHz): produced during social exploration, curiosity, or when a rat encounters a novel object. These calls often precede investigative behavior.
- Rapid, repetitive squeals (≈30–70 kHz): associated with aggressive encounters or territorial disputes. The pattern escalates if the confrontation intensifies.
- Low‑frequency growls or guttural sounds (≈5–10 kHz): indicate dominance or a warning to conspecifics. They are often paired with physical posturing such as raised fur.
- Teeth chattering (audible clicks): occurs during contentment, grooming, or after feeding. It can also appear in mildly stressed individuals as a self‑soothing mechanism.
- Ultrasonic “22‑kHz calls” (≈22 kHz): signal alarm, social defeat, or anticipation of aversive events. These calls are long, monotonous, and can be heard by other rats up to several meters away.
- Ultrasonic “50‑kHz calls” (≈50 kHz): emitted during play, mating, or positive social interaction. They are brief, frequency‑modulated bursts that promote bonding.
The meaning of each vocalization is reinforced by accompanying body language. For example, a rat that emits high‑pitched squeaks while freezing and exhibiting a flattened tail is experiencing acute fear, whereas a rat producing 50‑kHz bursts while hopping and grooming signals a relaxed, affiliative state. Contextual cues such as environmental changes, presence of conspecifics, and recent handling history modulate the acoustic pattern.
Research using spectrographic analysis shows that the frequency, duration, and repetition rate of calls correlate with physiological stress markers. Elevated corticosterone levels accompany prolonged 22‑kHz emissions, while increased dopamine activity aligns with frequent 50‑kHz bursts during rewarding experiences.
In practical terms, recognizing these sounds enables caretakers to assess welfare, identify potential aggression, and adjust housing conditions to reduce stress. Continuous acoustic monitoring can detect early signs of illness or injury, as rats often emit atypical vocalizations before visible symptoms appear.