Why do fancy mice squeak

Researchers have discovered that these rodents communicate using USVs emitted in the forms of songs, just like some birds. Like many mammals, mice also transfer information via their urine. Specifically, their urine contains traces of pheromones — chemical substances that are released by one animal and can affect the behavior or physiology of other animals in its species.

So, what exactly are mice saying in these chemical conversations? As it turns out, quite a lot. Scientists have determined that specific pheromones in the urine of female mice might pique the interest of males, making it easier to attract a mate. Male mice also use urine to mark their territory in the wild.

You might find it interesting to learn that each male mouse has its very own distinctive marker that it uses to stake its claim. A male mouse can also recognize more dominant members of the species via these scented property markers. How do mice communicate non-verbally? With body language! When the mice are stressed, they can also start to squeak. This can be due to aggressiveness, the presence of other cage mates, aggression from male mice , competitiveness, lack of food, bad living conditions, or other stressing factors.

When the living conditions are bad, the mice will also start to squeak, especially if they are not fed properly. And when they feel threatened by you or other mice, they will start to sound that.

Squeaking is just one of the ways how mice show that they are stressed, and you should minimize stress as much as possible. It could be just because they are playing, as they are enjoying and playing with other mice or their toys. In some cases, it might appear as though the mice are fighting, when they are actually just playing with each other and enjoying the company. When they squeak, take a look at their overall behavior, and other factors that determine whether the squeaking is anything to be concerned about.

If there are underlying reasons that are serious, there will be other symptoms as well. You will find that your mice might start to squeak when you touch them or try to handle them. If you hear excessive noise, check on your pets. It's possible a mouse got caught under something in the cage or there's some other issue. Jane Meggitt has been a writer for more than 20 years. In addition to reporting for a major newspaper chain, she has been published in "Horse News," "Suburban Classic," "Hoof Beats," "Equine Journal" and other publications.

By using the site, you agree to the uses of cookies and other technology as outlined in our Policy, and to our Terms of Use. Fighting Mice Pet mice aren't usually territorial in the manner of some other small pets, such as hamsters. Introducing Mice When introducing new mice to each other, do so on neutral territory.

Handling Mice You'll need to handle your mice regularly to hand-tame them. Playful Mice Mice are nocturnal, so you're likely to hear a lot of squeaking at night.

Why Do Hamsters Chirp? Sign in. Thanks for reading Scientific American. Create your free account or Sign in to continue. See Subscription Options. Go Paperless with Digital. Editor's Note: This story was originally printed with the title "Song of the Mouse".