Male Mice Use Music To Mate

Researchers found that when exposed to different situations, mice produced different "music," comparable to those of the songbird.

17:52 02 April 2015

It has been found that male mice use ultrasonic sounds to attract a female.

 

They produce a different sound when they can smell but not see the female than when they can actually see them.

 

Erich Jarvis, Neurobiology professor said that he believes there is far more communication occurring between animals than humans realise. 

 

He said that there was a clear communication in the mouse songs and not just random noises.

 

The "song" sang by the mice was more complex when the female was out of site but could be smelled.

 

The "song" was a simpler one when the female was present.

 

The song was played to sexually mature females and they displayed a preference for the more complex song by spending more time next to the speaker playing this one.