How do rats communicate?

Domestic ferrets have many forms of verbal communication. A soft clucking noise, referred to as "dooking",when playing or an expression of excitement. They will 'screech' as a sign of terror, pain, or anger. They will 'bark' if they are very excited. Finally, a ferret will 'hiss' if it is annoyed or very angry at another ferret or animal. Bottle brush tail - their tail will be up and hair bristled out - either excited or scared. The "weasel war dance" or "dance of joy" - the ferret will hop up and down and side to side in playing. The vocal sounds of a ferret are various

* The most common is a "Dook" (a clucking or chattering noise), usually when made when playing and is happy or excited, some ferrets or more vocal than others

* Screaming - a reaction to extreme pain or fear. In some cases, it may be anger as well. Investigate what caused your ferret to scream immediately - he may be injured

* Barking - when frightened or excited * Hissing - is a warning

• depending on what they are doing - either upset, annoyed or

agitated, in conflict, or fear to another ferret, animal or human. Some ferrets hiss regularly, it's just their way of talking * Squeaking, screeching - when playing, when jumping on another ferret, in some cases the ferret making the sound is upset with the other ferret. * Whining or Whimpering - when in discomfort, pain, or frightened, this is not a normal noise, and you need to investigate if heard. Continued whimpering in pain, or noises while going to the bathroom, take to the veterinarian immediately, as this could indicate a blockage. When they are happy or excited they may "dook", a soft clucking noise, commonly referred to as dooking