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Mice Can Sing!
Rodents, often viewed as simple creatures, exhibit surprising complexity in their behavior. Mice and rats display human-like traits such as laughter when tickled, empathy by sensing each other's pain through facial expressions, and even an ability to discern artistic styles like Picasso and Renoir.
Studies reveal that male mice produce intricate ultrasonic vocalizations, or "songs," to communicate with females. These songs vary in complexity depending on social context: when males can't see females but only smell their urine, the songs are louder and more intricate; however, when in the presence of females, the songs become simpler but longer.
Researchers at Duke University have found that female mice show a preference for more complex mating calls, indicating their effectiveness in attraction. This suggests that male mice invest more energy in attracting females when they can't see them, but once in close proximity, they focus more on mating behaviors. The study aims to explore the brain mechanisms behind these vocalizations and whether mice can learn new songs, potentially shedding light on communication disorders like autism. Published in the journal Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, this research underscores the complexity of rodent behavior and its implications for understanding animal and human communication.
(via Yes, Mice Can Sing. And You Won't Believe How Much They Sound Like Songbirds | HuffPost Impact)
Pascoe St Leger Grenfell and his mother Georgiana (1803) by John Hoppner. Duke University Library.
Chelone glabra / White Turtlehead at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University in Durham, NC