Moans accompanied by a whipping around of the tail (also known as tail flags) indicate a terrestrial predator, like a cat. Research has found that moans that are not accompanied by tail movements indicate an ariel predator approaching. A moan can also be used in combination with a ‘quaa’ sound and tail flicks. Squirrels’ moans sound similar to a whistle and can be used to indicate ariel predators. When squirrels make a ‘quaa’ sound, they are alerting other squirrels that there is still a threat around, but that it is moving away. The ‘quaa’ sounds like a longer version of the “kuk”. They communicate a less-immediate danger by barking a drawn-out ‘ku-u-ku.’ Squirrel Screech: Quaa This tells other squirrels that there is imminent danger. Squirrels bark out a few ‘kuk-kuk’ sounds in succession.Īmerican red squirrels and Eastern gray squirrels have been observed making rapid ‘kuk-kuk-kuk’ barks. This sound is similar to a dog bark, but shorter in duration.
Their moans are used in response to aerial predators like hawks. Squirrels make ‘kuk’ and ‘quaa’ sounds in response to terrestrial predators like cats. Moan: tonal sound similar to a whistle.Kuk: a short, sharp sound that is similar to a dog bark but faster and shorter in duration.Įastern gray squirrels make the following sounds as alarm calls: This is the largest known number of distinct calls among tree squirrels.Įastern gray squirrels ( Sciurus carolinensis) have 11 calls and eastern fox squirrels ( Sciurus niger) have 9 calls. In the North, American red squirrels ( Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) have 13 calls.
Depending on the species, tree squirrels have between 1-13 distinct sounds, used for different purposes: There are 128 species of tree squirrel in the world. There are an estimated 279 types of squirrels in the world divided into three groups: ĭifferent types make different sounds. Squirrel Sounds of Different Types of Squirrels In this article, we explore the secretive world of squirrel communication and decode what different squirrel sounds mean. Infant squirrels make sounds to call their mothers when they are hungry. Have you ever heard squirrels chirping, barking, or moaning and wondered what they are saying to each other?Īdult squirrels make sounds and use tail movements to alert other squirrels of predators, chase other squirrels away, or let the opposite sex know that they are ready to mate. Baby squirrels also make sounds when they’re trying to get their mother’s attention. They use them as mating calls, to communicate with other squirrels, and to fend off predators. Squirrels make many sounds, including barks, screeches, snorts, and others.
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