You might be surprised to know that Palm Bay rats are using vocalization techniques when communicating with each other. Nonetheless, that is just the basic way that they can communicate with fellow rats. They have a more complex means to convey the message to the other rats. Aside from the chirping and the squeaking sound that they produce, researchers have found out that they can use the scent of their urine to communicate.

How Do Rats Use their Pheromones when Communicating?

Just like the different Florida mammals, rats can also use their urine to transfer vital information. Their urine will be composed of pheromones that can affect the physiology and behavior of the other species. Perhaps you are wondering what type of messages they are exchanging when they are using their pheromones. According to the expert lots of information can be shared through the use of pheromones.

Attracting the Pre-Weanling Rats

The feces of the female Palm Bay rat that has a strong maternal instinct will contain traces of pheromones. This will be an effective way to attract her young ones. This chemical attractant acts as a bond between the infant and the mother rat. Pheromones are being shared while the babies are still in the womb. This cycle will continue through the breastfeeding and other forms of physical contact. The mother rat will lick her nipple that will guide the newborn rats to the milk.

Attracting the Male Rats

The pheromones in the urine of the Florida female rat will capture the interest of the male rat. This will make it easier to find an ideal mate which plays an important role in their incredible ability to reproduce. Once the male rat identified that the female is an ideal mate, he will track the source of the pheromones to execute the process of copulation.

Marking Territory

We’ve already discussed in our past articles how rats are very territorial Florida animals and will constantly fight for spaces and food. In order to prevent unnecessary fights, they will mark their territory using their urine. The urine of the male rats has a distinctive smell that can be used to determine ownership. The other male rat will be able to recognize the more dominant male using the pheromones in the urine. Through the pheromones they can prevent the other rats from invading their territory.

Due to this unique trait of the Palm Bay rat, scientists are now thinking on how to use the pheromones to control rat infestation. According to the last report, experts are now starting to understand the composition of the pheromones, reproduce the sound that they create, and comprehend their natural diet. By harnessing the knowledge of their unique communication system, they believe they will be able to develop an effective control program. The study shows how the female rat will voluntarily enter a trap that contains the male pheromones. By replicating it synthetically, there will be better ways on how we can lure the rat out of our houses. Hopefully, in a few years time, this will be made available to the public.