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 Guinea Pig Vocalisations
Chattering is not really a vocalisation. It is the teeth chattering together and is a sign of aggression.
Conversational squeaks are short sounds heard when friendly guinea pigs are talking together. The group of guinea pigs will make this sound together and it varies in volume as the conversation continues.
 Lower, short squeaks may be heard when a guinea pig is chatting to a human or when multiple guinea pigs are talking together or being introduced. Sometimes more agitated sounding low squeaks can be a sign of mild discomfort, such as the guinea pig is having a haircut, and may give way to higher squeaks of pain.
Short wheeks may precede full wheeking or be used as a form of communication with other guinea pigs. You may hear very quiet variations on this sound while a guinea pig is being stroked or combed. Little squeaks which sound like short squeals are a sign of discomfort or fear.
Squealing is an indication of pain or extreme fear. It sounds like a human squeal but more high-pitched and may be heard during veterinary examinations.
Purring is not a sound but a vibration. It is usually silent but may be accompanied by quiet, contented squeaking. Purring can be hard to distinguish from shivering out of fear or cold. The main difference is that purring is intermittent (stops and starts about once every 3-5 seconds), whereas shivering is constant and a cold or frightened piggie will appear tense.
Rumbling is a chilling sound, made by the guinea pig as a warning. It may be accompanied by the guinea pig raising himself off the ground and swaying from side to side as he walks, which is called rumblestrutting. Guinea pigs may rumble when being introduced.
Wheeking is a long whistling sound, which may be entirely high pitched or start lower and gradually increase in pitch. It can indicate that the guinea pig smells food or can hear a sound that he associates with food, such as the cutting of carrots or a fridge door opening. It may also be used as a greeting to a familiar person or, more rarely, as a long-range vocalisation to a guinea pig in another cage. Background graphics by Jackie • All photographs by webmaster unless otherwise stated.
(c) 2007-2008 Cavybeat • All information is unofficial, original experience. |
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