Squirrels make various sounds for different reasons. If you hear weird noises from squirrels, they may create noises for communication, as a symbol of injury or playing, as mating calls, and many more.
So, we have come up with a useful article on “Why is a squirrel making weird noises”. After reading this article, you will learn the meaning of squirrel noises. Then, you can identify the reason for the weird noises of squirrels.
Understanding animal language enables you to come closer to nature. You can read this article to understand the squirrel vocalizations in detail. Then you can communicate with squirrels easily. Besides, you will realize what they are trying to tell you.
What Sound Does a Squirrel Make?
Before knowing the meaning of squirrel sounds, let us tell you about the various names of the sounds made by squirrels.
| Name of Sound | Description |
| Barking | The pitch and tone are very sharp and loud,The barks are shortThey repeat barks frequently |
| Growling | The pitch is low and a deep resonating toneGuttural soundThis sound is sustained for a few secondsRepeat the sound after an intermittent break (frequency can increase depending on the situation) |
| Chattering | High pitch noisesThe volume of the chattering is loud enoughThey repeat the sound frequently |
| Whining | Pitch is highPlaintive soundThe duration may be continuous or occur with an intermittent break |
| Chirping | High pitchedRepeated chirpsSound has a natural rhythm |
| Purring | Low pitch and soft soundPurring sustains a longer timeThe frequency of purring is steady |
| Screeching | High pitchedPiercing soundHarsh toneThe duration of a screech is between a few seconds to several seconds.Quite repeated |
| Whistles | High pitchedMelodious and clear soundThe duration of each whistle is a fraction of a secondRepeated quickly or with a rhythmic interval. |
Squirrel Sound Meaning
We have already told you about the types of sounds or noises, created by squirrels. They do make these noises for no reason. They have deep meanings of squirrel screaming or sound or noise.
They make various sounds to express different feelings. We will describe the meaning of their noises in this section.
Easy Table
| Name of Sound | Meaning |
| Barking | Alarm Call |
| Growling | Aggression |
| Chattering | Communication |
| Whining | Distress |
| Chirping | Social Interaction |
| Purring | Contentment |
| Screeching | Extreme Distress |
| Whistles | Communication or Courtship |
It is an easy table of squirrels’ specific noise meanings. Now, we will broadly describe the meanings.
Reasons for Making Noise
- Alarm Call
Squirrels use barking sounds to alert other squirrels from attack by predators or other potential dangers. This noise is also used as a territorial warning to warn other squirrels. Overall, this sound is used as an alarm call for squirrels.
Note: Barking sometimes symbolizes frustration.
- Aggression
Squirrels make growling sounds to express their aggression. Growling is an angry squirrel noise. They make a growling sound during territorial attacks. They show their aggression to the predators and attackers using growling sounds. This noise is also used as a warning to their rivals.
- Communication
Squirrels use chattering to communicate with members of their team as well as other squirrels. Gray squirrel noise is usually chattering.
They exchange information about territory attacks, sources of food, and shelter using chattering. So, their overall communication depends on chattering.
- Distress
Squirrels make a sound called whining to express their distress or discomfort. A hungry squirrel who wants to eat food, and needs the attention of other squirrels, this squirrel makes whining noise. A young squirrel who is separated from its mother starts whining to keep its mother’s attention.
- Social Interaction
Social interaction is necessary for squirrels. They interact with other squirrels using chirping. Chirping is quite similar to chattering. They also use chirping for communication. They use chirping to point out the presence of food, water, and other resources.
- Contentment
Contentment is also termed relaxation. Squirrels make a noise called purring to express their satisfaction. They can use this noise during their normal social interactions which is non-threatening.
Note: Squirrels especially use purring to interact with young squirrels.
- Extreme Distress
Squirrels express extreme distress when they are in pain or they get an injury. They make a noise called screeching to express their extreme distress.
They basically seek needs by using this noise. So, when squirrels get into trouble, they use screech so that other squirrels can help them with the required provision.
- Courtship or Communication
Squirrels use noise during mating season. Courtship rituals are common in squirrels. They make melodic noises like whistles to attack females. Male squirrels whistle to show them as suitable mates for female squirrels.
Female squirrels find their mate by listening to the whistles. Then they respond to their mating call and vocal exchanges according to the ritual.
Note: Whistles also express social interactions.
Additional Notes
- The sound of squirrels may vary based on the species of squirrels.
- The situation of making sound is a great matter of context.
- Before identifying the reason, you should observe the condition of the squirrels.
- You should properly observe the tone, pitch, and frequency of noises to identify the accurate reason.
Conclusion
Squirrels make weird noises to express feelings like discomfort, satisfaction, aggression, and pain. They also use noises in their activity such as mating calls, alarm calls, and communication. So, understanding their weird noises is mandatory to know them properly.
This article is a proper guide to identifying the reasons behind the squirrels’ noise. So, we recommend reading the article, Why is a squirrel making weird noises? You will learn about various types of squirrel noise. Moreover, you will learn the specific meaning of specific noise.
Overall, this article can be a dictionary of the weird noises of squirrels. All the information in this article is research-based so you can trust this information.
