If you’ve ever heard an eerie, guttural screeching sound in the dead of night, chances are it was made by a possum. These nocturnal marsupials are well known for their spine-chilling vocalizations, which serve several important purposes.
If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer: Possums make a screeching sound that is described as a guttural hiss or scream. This screech serves as an alarm call to signal danger or get their offspring to safety. Mother possums may also screech to call their babies back to the den.
What Does a Possum Screech Sound Like?
The screech of a possum is a guttural hissing noise that can startle anyone who hears it. Here’s a closer look at the unique vocalizations of these nocturnal marsupials:
A Guttural Hissing Noise
When threatened or startled, possums will often emit a scream or screech. This sound is raspy, hoarse, and hissing – similar to a cat’s hiss but more drawn out. It’s typically described as a deep guttural “heeerrgh” or a hoarse screeching “ehhhhhh” noise.
Possums screech because they don’t have many defenses. Since they are slow moving with no real weapons, hissing and screeching helps scare off predators. The harsh guttural sound serves as an auditory warning sign to potential threats.
Baby possums may screech when separated from their mother. Their high-pitched distress call aims to get their mother’s attention and protection. An angry or frightened adult possum can make a range of loud sounds from low hisses to intimidating guttural growls.
Sometimes Mistaken for Other Animals
A possum’s screech is sometimes confused with the sounds of other wildlife. For example, some claim possum screeches sound like human screams. Though unsettling, it’s just the possum’s natural defense mechanism.
Possum vocalizations may also be mistaken for the screech of an owl. However, an owl’s screech is usually more shrill and repetitive. A possum’s screech tends to be more drawn out, lower-pitched, and more guttural.
The hissing screeches of possums may be misattributed to cats, though feline sounds tend to be higher pitched and less raspy. Raccoons can also make similar noises, but raccoon vocalizations are usually more chittering than drawn-out screeches.
So while startling, the unique guttural screech of a possum is an essential part of its defense repertoire. Understanding the range of sounds and vocalizations made by possums can help identify them when one shows up unexpectedly in your yard or neighborhood.
Why Do Possums Screech?
To Warn of Danger
Possums are notorious for the spine-chilling screeches and hisses they make at night. These vocalizations serve an important purpose – to warn others of potential threats. When possums sense danger, whether from predators like dogs or humans encroaching on their territory, they will begin screeching as a defense mechanism.
This shrieking sound alerts other possums in the area that peril is nearby and they need to be on high alert. The loud noise also helps deter predators, as the element of surprise is lost and the predator realizes this prey is ready to defend itself.
Possums aren’t always bluffing when they screech; they will fight back viciously if cornered by biting and scratching with their sharp teeth and claws. The haunting sounds of a possum screech therefore say “beware” and “don’t mess with me!”
Research has shown the acoustic structure of a possum’s defensive vocalizations contains nonlinear deterministic chaos. In other words, the screeches have a very chaotic and unpredictable pattern that is unnerving to predators and humans alike.
This may maximize the efficacy of their vocal warning system. Additionally, mother possums screeching in defense of their young may produce calls of even greater amplitude and chaos. So next time you hear unearthly sounds in the night, it’s likely just the local possums sounding the alarm that danger is near!
Heed their warning and don’t provoke them needlessly.
Communication With Offspring
In addition to warning screeches, possums also use vocalizations to communicate with their offspring. Mother possums must locate their joeys after returning from nightly foraging trips. To call her babies back into her pouch, the mother possum will emit soft clicking sounds.
The joeys instinctively know to come find her when they hear this call. If separated from mom for too long, the joey will start screeching as well. This helps the mother pinpoint her baby’s location to swiftly reunite with it.
Young possums gradually become more independent as they age but continue returning to their mother’s pouch periodically for warmth and nursing. If a juvenile wanders too far away, the mother will start screeching to signal danger and compel her wayward offspring to come back to the den.
She may also screech scolding calls if the curious joey attempts to leave the pouch before reaching full independence. In this way, screeches reinforce the parent-child bond and play a vital role in the survival of helpless baby possums.
So while we may find their night cries frightening, for possums vocalizations are a means of nurturing close family relationships.
Other Possum Noises and Sounds
Growling
When threatened, possums will often emit a guttural growl not unlike that of a dog. This aggressive vocalization serves to warn potential predators that the possum means business. While somewhat frightening to humans not accustomed to crossing paths with these nocturnal creatures, a possum’s bluster is often louder than its bite.
Still, provoked animals can and will bite, so it’s wisest not to corner one. Data from wildlife control businesses suggest that nearly 15% of calls concerning possums in populated areas involve the animals grunting, snarling, or overall proving to be frighteningly vocal.
Clicking Sounds
In addition to growls, possums make a strange clicking sound with their mouths to communicate with potential mates and offspring. Scientists theorize that possums developed this unique form of bioacoustics over tens of millions years of evolution in order to facilitate nighttime navigation, bonding, and caregiving in dark forests.
There is still much to uncover about the range of possum chatter, but current findings by zoologists suggest the clicks form a possum language of sorts not so different from the songs of whales or chirps of birds.
So next time you hear odd clicks, squeaks, or hisses coming from your backyard or attic at night, it may well be a possum engaging in heartfelt conversation the only way it knows how.
Interpreting Possum Screeches and React Accordingly
Possums are nocturnal marsupials that are known for making loud screeching noises, especially at night. While the screeches can be alarming, it’s important to understand the reasons behind this vocalization and respond appropriately.
Reasons Possums Screech
There are several speculated reasons why possums screech:
- To ward off predators. Possums don’t have much in the way of defenses besides their screech. The loud noise may startle potential predators and cause them to flee.
- As a territorial call. Male possums may screech to claim their territory and ward off competing males.
- As a reaction to threats. Possums often screech when frightened or under duress.
- During mating. Screeches are thought to attract mates.
- Alerting babies. Mother possums may screech to let their young know their location or warn them of danger.
How to React to Possum Screeches
When you hear a possum screeching, there’s often no need for concern. Here are some tips for responding appropriately:
- Don’t panic. The screeches can sound jarring, but are a natural form of communication for possums.
- Don’t try to intervene. Avoid approaching or attempting to interact with a screeching possum, as they may become more frightened or aggressive.
- Make noises to deter them. You can make loud noises like stomping or clapping to try to scare the possum away from the area.
- Remove attractants. Eliminate any food sources or nesting areas that may be drawing possums to your yard.
- Use lights and smells. Motion sensor lights and ammonia or vinegar around your yard’s perimeter may help deter possums.
- Be patient. The screeching usually doesn’t last more than a few minutes at a time.
In some cases, persistent possum screeching may indicate a nearby den with dependent young. It’s best not to interfere and allow the mother to come and go as she pleases until the babies are old enough leave the den on their own.
Unless a possum poses a direct threat, the most ecologically responsible solution is to allow them to move on naturally without harming them. With some patience and understanding, their occasional nighttime vocalizations are just part of coexisting with these unique wildlife inhabitants.
Conclusion
The next time you hear a bone-chilling screech in the darkness, it just might be a possum sounding the alarm or calling to its young. While startling, these vocalizations are a normal part of possum behavior.
By understanding what they mean, you can interpret these screams properly and react accordingly without undue distress.
