Sounds Whether you just like listening to piggy
noises, or you want to find out more about what they all mean - this is the
place for you! If you're interested in the sound described, simply click on the
picture of the pig next to it and don't forget to turn your speakers on!
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Chas Wheeks - 109kb The most popular
noise in a guinea pig's vocabulary - the wheek! This long squeak means 'feed
me' or 'give me attention' - usually the former! |
 | Ziggy Rumbles -
99kb Rumblestrutting is a mating and dominance dance performed by
wiggling the bottom from side to side while making a deep throated purring
noise. This is Zigs in action! |
 | Chas Spurns Male
Advances - 86kbSometimes when a boar tries to woo a sow, the sow
isn't interested. Sometimes they might just move away, other times they will
vocalise their annoyance. This is Chas getting testy with Zigs - you can just
about hear him purring in the backgound. |
 | Fred Gets Annoyed -
138kbThis noise firmly says 'get away from me, I am not pleased!'
It is most commonly heard in herds when one piggy has something the others want
- they make this noise as a warning to show they are irritated and to tell them
to keep away. Here Fred had found a tasty bit of cucumber and was being
approached in a pincer movement by two other pigs wanting to pinch it. |
 | Teef Purrs -
80kbVery similar to the purring noise made while rumblestrutting,
it means they are happy! Here's Teef getting his favourite rub behind the ears.
When petting them, you need to pay attention to body language too. If your piggy
is enjoying what you are doing, they will look relaxed and happy. If they start
biting down or tensing their body when you do something, be more gentle as this
is a sign that it is uncomfortable. Often the purring noise will also go up in
pitch if it's a bit too much. You'll soon find out what they like! They also
have an alarm call which is a very similar sound. If they make a short burst of
a purr like noise after something has alarmed them - usually a noise like a
bell, then they could be warning the others to be on alert for danger. They will
usually hold their heads up while they make this noise - all the better to hear
- so that's another way you can tell. |
 | Ziggy Chirps -
367kbOne of the less common noises made by piggies is chirping.
It's a bit of a grey area in piggy linguistics. The most common theories are
that it relates to some kind of distress, or perhaps to mating or pregnancy.
Some pigs go in to a trance while they make this noise, others appear normal and
it occurs most frequently at night. As long as you can be sure your pig is happy
and healthy, there's no need to worry abut it although it is quite alarming to
be woken up by this noise at 3am! Cheers to Chris for cleaning up this recording
for me! |
 | Fred Chatters -
90kbThis noise is made by clacking their teeth together and is a
warning of aggression. A pig may do it if they feel threatened and it is most
commonly heard when new pigs are being introduced. Often, as Fred used it here,
they will just use short bursts to occasionally warn a piggy off, or to pull
rank on them and will stop as soon as they see signs of submission. However,
occasionally it may develop in to an aggressive attack in which case you will
need to separate them (and not with your hand!). See the introduction page in care info for tips on introducing new
pigs. |
