The influence of ultrasound on the behavior of Brown Rats

The influence of ultrasound on the behavior of Brown Rats (Rattus norvegicus, Berkenhout, 1769) in the open field test is considered in the article. Animals were exposed to ultrasound at 22 kHz and simultaneously at 50-60 kHz for 24 hours. The indices of the activity of the individual in the open field were compared before and after the experiment. As a result of the tests, multidirectional changes in motor activity (number of columns and intersected squares), frequency of defecations and duration of grooming were revealed. The results obtained show that the behavior of most rats after exposure to ultrasound tended to change, but these data did not differ significantly. Thus, the use of the Quadblaster QB-4 and Filin ultrasound scanners at a frequency of 22 kHz and 50-60 kHz for 24 hours did not cause a significant change in the behavior of the animals, and therefore their use as repellents towards the brown rats appears to be ineffective.