Operatic Mice

Monteverde Cloud Forest   (Photo by DirkvdM)

You no doubt know that mice are skilled at cheese nibbling, but did you also know that some of them

can warble duets?

These are not your average field mice, but rather your Costa Rican cloud-forest types.  When one such rodent’s turf is invaded, he puts forth a tinkly verse in no uncertain terms.

The invader politely waits his turn, and then responds with a melodious comeback.  They volley awhile until one emerges the winner.

Their songs entail “as many as 100 notes,” and interaction occurs via neural circuits within the brain’s motor cortex.  This is akin to what happens when humans “vocally interact.”  

Resources

https://www.upi.com/Science_News/2019/03/01/Singing-mice-help-scientists-understand-fast-paced-human-conversation/9731551450736/

Copyright March 2, 2019 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved