What sound does a squirrel make? (Surprised Answers!)

As an outdoor enthusiast who has spent countless hours observing wildlife, I’ve always been fascinated by the diverse vocalizations of squirrels. These charismatic creatures, often seen darting across our yards and parks, are far from silent neighbors. In fact, they’re quite the communicators, with an impressive repertoire of sounds that serve various purposes. Let’s dive deep into the world of squirrel sounds and decode what these chatty creatures are trying to tell us.

The Language of Squirrels: Understanding Their Vocal Arsenal

Squirrels are remarkable communicators, capable of producing an array of vocalizations that serve different purposes in their daily lives. From warning calls to mating signals, each sound in their vocabulary has a specific meaning and context. Let’s explore the main categories of squirrel sounds and what they signify.

Warning and Alarm Calls: Nature’s Security System

One of the most common and important sounds in a squirrel’s vocabulary is their alarm call system. These calls are essential for survival, helping to alert other squirrels and even different species about potential dangers in the area. Here’s what to listen for:

The “Kuk” is a short, sharp barking sound that squirrels repeat rapidly when they spot a threat. Think of it as their version of “Hey, watch out!” This sound is often the first line of defense when a squirrel spots something suspicious.

Following the “kuk” is often the “quaa” – a lower intensity sound that serves as a secondary warning. This combination of calls helps other squirrels understand not only that there’s danger, but also what kind of threat they’re facing.

Perhaps most interesting is their sophisticated system for distinguishing between ground and aerial predators. The “seet” call – a high-frequency but quiet sound – is specifically used for ground predators like cats or dogs. When they spot an aerial predator like a hawk, they’ll combine this with a bark, creating what’s known as the “seet-bark” call. This distinction helps other squirrels know whether to look up or down for the threat.

(For more on the best air rifle for squirrels, see this post)

Territory and Dominance: The Sound of Squirrel Real Estate

Squirrels are territorial creatures, and they’re not shy about letting others know when they’re crossing boundaries. Their territorial sounds include:

• Rattles and screeches that serve as warning signals to intruders
• Aggressive chattering produced by rapidly grinding their teeth
• Sharp, threatening screeches when another squirrel gets too close to their space

These sounds are particularly common during feeding times or when protecting their nests. If you’ve ever watched squirrels at a bird feeder, you’ve probably witnessed this vocal display of territory defense.

The Language of Love: Mating Calls

During mating season, squirrels become particularly vocal, using specific sounds to attract mates and communicate their intentions. Male squirrels produce a soft “muk-muk” sound while pursuing females – a gentle vocalization that’s meant to be non-threatening and attractive to potential mates.

Females respond with their own specific vocalizations, including “kuks” and “quaa” sounds when they’re receptive to mating. These mating calls are typically softer than their alarm calls but still distinct enough to be recognized by interested suitors.

Baby Talk: The Sound of Squirrel Infants

Baby squirrels, known as kits, have their own unique set of vocalizations that develop as they grow. Their vocal development follows an interesting timeline:

• At 3 days old: First capable of making soft squeaks
• At 3 weeks: Can produce growling sounds when hungry
• At 4 weeks: Develop the ability to make short screams
• Throughout infancy: Use high-pitched chirps to call their mother

The “muk-muk” sound, interestingly, is also used by babies when they’re hungry – the same sound that adult males use during mating season, but in a completely different context.

Squirrels in Human Spaces: Understanding Urban Wildlife

For those living in areas with squirrel populations, understanding their sounds can be particularly useful, especially if they’ve taken up residence in or around your home. Here’s what to listen for:

Morning and Evening Activity Squirrels are most vocal during their peak activity periods – early morning and late evening. During these times, you might hear:

• Scurrying and scratching sounds as they move about
• Rolling noises from nuts and acorns being transported
• Gnawing sounds as they work on maintaining their teeth or creating nest spaces

In Your Attic or Walls If squirrels have made their way into your home, they create distinctive sounds:

• Light running and scratching noises
• Rustling sounds from nest-building activities
• Rolling sounds from stored food items
• Squeaking and chattering during social interactions

The Nighttime Exception: Flying Squirrels

While most squirrels are active during the day, flying squirrels break this rule. These nocturnal creatures make high-pitched chirping sounds and can even produce ultrasonic vocalizations that humans can’t hear. If you’re hearing squirrel-like sounds at night, you might have flying squirrels in your area.

Practical Applications: Using Squirrel Sounds

Understanding squirrel vocalizations has practical applications for both wildlife enthusiasts and homeowners:

For Wildlife Watching:

• Learn to identify different species by their unique call patterns
• Understand squirrel behavior and social interactions
• Predict potential threats in the area by interpreting warning calls

For Home Management:

• Identify the presence of squirrels in your structure
• Determine the best times for humane removal
• Distinguish squirrel sounds from other wildlife

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Why do squirrels make a crying noise?

A: Squirrels make crying-like sounds primarily when they’re in distress, injured, or when baby squirrels are hungry and calling for their mother. This sound can also be a warning call to alert other squirrels of danger.

Q: Do squirrels make noise at night?

A: Most squirrels are diurnal and quiet at night, except for flying squirrels, which are nocturnal. If you hear squirrel-like sounds at night, it’s likely either flying squirrels or possibly a different animal entirely.

Q: What does it mean when a squirrel chatters its teeth?

A: Teeth chattering is typically a sign of aggression or territorial defense. It’s a warning signal to other squirrels or potential threats to stay away from their space.

Q: How can I tell if the sounds in my attic are from squirrels?

A: Squirrel sounds are typically heard during daylight hours and include scurrying, rolling (from nuts), and scratching noises. They’re usually louder than mice but quieter than raccoons.

Q: What sound does a squirrel make when in danger?

A: When in danger, squirrels typically make a series of “kuk” and “quaa” sounds, which are sharp, repetitive barking noises. They may also screech if directly threatened.

Q: Are baby squirrel sounds different from adult squirrels?

A: Yes, baby squirrels make distinctly softer, higher-pitched sounds than adults. They typically make squeaking noises and soft “muk-muk” sounds when hungry or calling for their mother.