Ultrasonic Squirrel Squeel

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paghat - 29 Jul 2004 17:25 GMT

Canadian zoologists David Wilson and James Hare of the University of
Manitoba have published their findings in the newest issue of NATURE, for
their study of the Richardson squirrel (Spermophilus richardsonii).

These squirrels make a number of audible vocalizations, but also have a
"whispered" vocalization that sounds like an expulsion of air. On closer
examination this turns out to be an ultra-sonic squeel which bats &
dolphins can hear, but which predators & humans cannot hear.

The warning call reaches 66,8 decibels, which would if we could hear it at
all would be quite a loud squeel. The sound was made as a low-grade or
preliminary warning sound, kind of like "pay attention everyone!" If the
danger became acute, they would make a different warning call within the
human range of hearing.

Bats & dolphins use similar sounds in this range to locate & pursue prey;
but such sounds are not used for communication with others of their
species. So the Richardson squirrel seems to be quite unique.

It is perfect warning as predators will not even know all the squirrels
have been warned to take heed & be careful.

-paghat the ratgirl

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"Of what are you afraid, my child?" inquired the kindly teacher.
"Oh, sir! The flowers, they are wild," replied the timid creature.
-from Peter Newell's "Wild Flowers"
Visit the Garden of Paghat the Ratgirl: http://www.paghat.com

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Tracey - 30 Jul 2004 11:25 GMT

> Canadian zoologists David Wilson and James Hare of the University of
> Manitoba have published their findings in the newest issue of NATURE, for
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> -from Peter Newell's "Wild Flowers"
> Visit the Garden of Paghat the Ratgirl: http://www.paghat.com

Interesting.

Funnily enough I've just been reading (Bruce Fogle's 'The Dog's Mind') about
the cry of the bat, which has a pitch up to around 100,000 cps, well out of
range of human hearing (we can hear up to 20,000 cps) and most other
mammals. This is why Central and South American cattle get attacked by
vampire bats regularly. Not so the dogs it seems - they rarely get attacked
by these creatures implying they might be able to hear some aspect of the
bat's cry. It's suggested that dogs could therefore be employed to guard
cattle against the attack of these blood sucking bats, by being the ears of
the grazing animals.

Tracey

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Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / July 2004

Ultrasonic Squirrel Squeel