The deer mouse is just one type of mouse that is known to sing. (Photo credit: Thomas Kitchin and Victoria Hurst/Design Pics Inc./Alamy)
You are likely quite familiar with the sound of birds singing. You might have also heard the sounds of frogs singing a chorus around a pond or lake. But did you know that some mice sing too? What is the reason behind this unusual behavior?
Bret Pasch, a doctoral student at the University of Florida, is researching that question. He and his colleagues study a rodent called the Alston’s singing mouse (Scotinomys teguina). This insectivorous mouse is native to montane cloud forests that are found throughout Central America.
Pasch’s research indicates that males are primarily the singers in this mouse species. Not unlike birds and frogs, he thinks that these mice sing in order to attract mates and repel potential rivals. Hormones play an important role in a males ability to sing. In one experiment, a set of males were neutered. One group received synthetic hormones, while the control group did not. The males that did not receive the hormones were found to be poor singers–their songs had slower trill rates and were limited to a small range of frequencies.
A second experiment tested females interest in different songs. When female Alston’s singing mice were presented with two songs, one of which was played at normal speed, and one of which was enhanced to play at a higher speed, and thus a faster trill, the females overwhelmingly preferred the enhanced song. Researchers believe that a more complex song indicates to the female that the male is a better-quality mate. According to Pasch, males that are better singers have better control over their nervous, neuromuscular, and cardiac systems, which would serve as an excellent indication of their overall good health.
The results of Pasch’s research were published in the June 2011 edition of the journal Animal Behaviour. Other scientists who contributed to the research included Andreas S. George, Polly Campbell, and Steven M. Phelps.
More to Explore
Androgen-Dependent Male Vocal Performance Influences Female Preference in Neotropical Singing Mice [pdf]
Squeaking Up A Storm: Yes, That Mouse Is Singing
The Mystery of the Singing Mice
Deer Mouse Singing (audio/video)
Male Alston’s singing mouse (S. teguina) (video)
Female Alston’s singing mouse (S. teguina) listening to male song (video)
UF Study: When Singing Mice Choose A Mate, A Skillful Song Gets the Gal
I find it very interesting that these mice can sing like a bird or frog and would love to see a mouse do this in nature.
Me too, I wish I could have one as a pet.
it might get annoying to have one as a pet though when they decide to sing all the time trying to find a mate
True, but what if you had a rough day and you walked in your house and your very own pet mouse started singing to you?
That would be perfect.
I could like it because, I will make history of that mouse, the first singing mouse ever.
lol now that is terribly funny
I think it is very interesting that some mice sing to attract female mice. Since mice are so small it surprises me that they are capable of singing.
That’s so true! I wonder how loud they really are?
Same! I wonder how loud they are and what they sound like
I think its makes perfect since how they believe that the hormones play a part in the mouses singing abilty. Just like it does in humans quality an voice tone depends on the amount of hormones a male or female singer has.
And the more hormones the better the singing so the female would want a good singer with the large amount of hormones.
It makes me very curious about what it sounds like, if its gentle and sweet sounding or more loud and squeaky.
It’s crazy that mice are singers like that. I want to hear one!
I would like to see a mouse sing too, but unfortunately they live in Central America.
I would want to see the reaction of someone getting stung by a mouse.
That it sings*
i sing about pie
It makes since that they would sing to attract mates. Its loud and the more complex they sing the more mates come their way.
I think it is really bizzare that mice are singers because they are usually very quiet. I would have thought that the singing would attract too many predetors.
Maybe this is also an attempt to scare away predators. I do find it bizzare though.
Yeah thats was i was thinking, i had no clue mice could make that loud of a noise. You learn something new every day
I think it’s ironic how the mice try to scare others away and attract mates when they sing.
I find it interesting that this species of mice can sting. I just wonder how bad it would hurt.
Max, they sing, not sting.
Sing, Max. Not sting.
its kind of weird that mice could sing…ive always thought of them as quiet animals!
Yeah so did I, they don’t look like the type on animals that would be able to sing.
I thought it was interesting how the males used singing to attract the females.
I find it odd that so many species rely on singing to attract mates. What if us humans did that?
It is very impressive that these mice can sing like birds. I would definitely keep one as a pet and let it sing to me when I’m feeling depressed.
Brad lets go buy a singing mouse
I’m really fascinated at the fact that they can sing, it would be pretty sweet if I could teach one some songs.
I find it interesting that mice can sing and would be interesting to buy one
I think I’d be cooler if they sang actual songs. A mouse singing John Mayer? Nice!
I find it odd that the male mice sing more than the females.
I found that interesting as well, but I suppose for the mice, it may be used for intimidation of some sort.
I thought it was neat that the mice can sing but I thought it was bizarre cause ive never heard of that before
This article interests me not necessarily because of the idea that a mouse can “sing,” but that it relies so heavily on hormones. I would think that past a certain point, hormones would cease to matter, but the research says differently.
it was a little interesting