Vocalizations - guinea pig

Guinea pigs make a variety of noises, some of which most guinea pig owners will recognize. Contented guinea pigs just going about their day often make a variety of squeaks, chortles, and quiet grunts. • Wheeking: This is a distinctive and common vocalization, and is used to communicate excitement, particularly about being fed or simply a call for attention. It sounds like a long, loud squeal or whistle. • Purring noises: These have different meanings depending on the pitch of the sound. Guinea pigs that are feeling contented and comfortable will make a deep sounding purr. A short purr may indicate fear or uncertainty • Rumbling: This is a deeper rumble than the purr. This noise is made by a male romancing a female, and sometimes also by females in season. While courting, a male usually purrs deeply, swaying and circling the female in a behavior called "rumble strutting". This is also called as motor boating. • Teeth chattering: This is a sign of an agitated or angry guinea pig and is an aggressive vocalization. It is often accompanied by showing the teeth and means "back off" or "stay away." • Hissing: like teeth chattering • Cooing: It communicates reassurance and is a sound most often made by mother guinea pigs to their young. • Shrieking: A piercing, high pitched squeak that can be mistaken as a call of fear, or pain. If you hear this type of sound, it is good to check on your guinea pigs to make sure everything is okay. • Whining: a whining or moaning type of squeak can communicate annoyance or dislike for something you or another guinea pig is doing. • Chirping: Sounds just like a bird chirping; this is perhaps the least well-understood noise guinea pigs make.