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You might associate singing with animated characters like Cinderella. However, real mice in nature also produce musical sounds. Scientists have recently discovered the specific mechanism these animals use. Alston’s singing mice possess tiny, balloon-like sacs in their airways. These sacs inflate to create whistling tunes. This method of making music appears to be unique within the animal kingdom.
These creatures are known as Alston’s singing mice. They live in the forests of Mexico and Central America. They truly earn their name through their complex communication. Both male and female mice use high-pitched notes to talk to each other. Their songs are significantly more complex than those of any other rodent species.
During a single ten-second song, an Alston’s singing mouse releases about 100 individual breaths and notes. This rapid delivery of sound serves two main purposes. The melody attracts potential mates. It also warns rival males to stay away from their territory. Samantha Smith, a biologist at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland, led the research. She notes that the speed and length of these songs are far more "extreme" than other rodents’ calls.
The research team wanted to understand how the vocal systems of these mice evolved to create such intricate melodies. To solve this mystery, they began by dissecting the larynges of deceased animals. The larynx, often called the voice box, is a critical part of the body. It helps mice breathe, swallow, and produce sound, just as it does in humans.
The researchers hooked each excised mouse voice box to a tube. They then placed a microphone and camera near the top of the setup. This allowed them to observe the movement and sound production in detail. Smith explained that a voice box is essentially a tube with a valve that can open and close. To test the device, the team blew air through the tube.
The voice box produced sounds that matched the mouse’s natural pitch. However, this only happened when a specific pouch inside the voice box was inflated. When the researchers blocked this balloon-like sac with wax or small metal balls, the device went silent. Cutting the sac also stopped the sound. These results confirmed that the air sac is key to generating the songs.