
%0 Journal Article
%A Barnett, SA 
%A Stewart, AP 
%T Audible signals during intolerant behaviour of Rattus fuscipes
%J Australian Journal of Zoology
%D 1975/03/01
%V 23
%N 1
%P 103-112
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO9750103
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/ZO9750103 
%X The social behaviour of the Australian bush rat, Rattus fuscipes, was observed in the laboratory. All rats had been trapped as adults. In each encounter a male or female intruder was put in a cage containing an established male or female resident; the movements of the animals, and the sounds they made, were recorded for 10 min. The behaviour patterns of the two sexes were similar. The principal sounds were: (1) a whistle, or pure monosyllabic note (fundamental about 2.5 kHz); (2) a scream, or fluctuating multisyllabic sound; (3) intermediates between these two; (4) a cough (rare); (5) tooth-chattering (not voiced).    Whistles, screams and intermediate sounds accompanied attacks and associated behaviour: during approach or threat only the animals approached or threatened made these sounds; when the animals were in contact, both did. 
