An Overview on the Rodents Pheromones

Pheromones are chemical signals that are essential in the communication of the rodents. There are wide ranges of information contained in the pheromones of the animals. This may include their location, interaction between the pup and their mother, courtship, sexual attraction, and the presence of threat or food. The messages in the pheromones will be preserved even if these animals are not in their natural environment.



How the Pheromones Are Involved in the Communication of Rodents

The pheromones will be involved in different behavior of the rodent. This will affect their social behavior such as determining the social status of the rodent. Pheromones can also help them in defending their self against predation. It can also be used for marking their territory, acquiring food, and selecting the possible mate.

Pheromone Signals

The pheromones signals play a key role in the sexual and social behavior of most rodents. Therefore, the exposure of the same species to the pheromones can affect the physiology and the behavior of the animal. When you compare the pheromones of the rodents to the chemical signals released by insects, there is not a lot of information relating to the chemical nature of the mammal’s pheromones. The rodents will be releasing a combination of different chemicals which include the heptanone, dimethylpyrazine, etc with the addition of other nonvolatile compounds. Other rodents will be able to detect this using their vomeronasal organ.

Reproductive Behavior In response to Pheromones

The reproductive behavior of the rodents will be highly affected by the pheromones. For instance, the protein that is secreted by the hamster known as aphrodisin, can encourage the copulation between the species. The mice will secrete the pheromones in large amount which will enable the mice to identify the males. The pheromones that are being released by the other animals can cause physiological and behavioral changes.

Negative Effect

The pheromones that are being released by the male rodents will boost the aggression of the other male rodents. The odor that is being released by the unfamiliar male rodent will have a direct effect on the development of the embryo. This can cause the over development of the embryo or the poor development of the cell mass. Pheromones of the rodents can be released from the perianal or from the whisker of the animal. The pheromones released by the perianal can signal their response towards the stress while those released by the whisker may cause behavioral changes.

Pheromones can help the rodent communicate with the other species in several ways. It can also affect their behavior. It may help them realize that the territory is being occupied by other rodents. Pheromones can also be used by a sexually receptive female to alert the possible mating partner. There are different ways on how the rodents will make use of their pheromones. It will help them stay alert on the sign of predation and to look for a possible food source. Further studies are still needed to determine the information that can be shared through the pheromones of the rodents.


Visit our Wildlife Trapper Apex home page to learn more about us.