Opossums are primarily silent marsupials, spending most of their nocturnal lives moving quietly to forage. Their limited sound repertoire means they usually only vocalize in three specific situations. These vocalizations are reserved for moments of extreme physical or emotional need, such as defense, distress, or intimate communication with close family members.
Defensive Hissing and Growling
The most common vocalization heard by people is the sound of an opossum attempting to deter a perceived threat. When cornered or unable to retreat, the opossum will rapidly transition to a defensive posture accompanied by an aggressive vocal display. This sound is a raspy, breathy, and guttural hiss, often mixed with a low, throaty growl that serves as a warning to predators.
This threat display is a bluff, intended to make the opossum appear more intimidating and less like easy prey. The hissing and growling are often coupled with a wide-open mouth, revealing their fifty sharp teeth, and excessive drooling. This visual display attempts to scare the trespasser away before the opossum resorts to its last-resort defense mechanism of entering an involuntary catatonic state.
High-Pitched Screams of Distress
Distinct from the warning hiss, the opossum’s high-pitched scream signals genuine terror or pain. This loud vocalization is often described as a screech or shriek, reserved for moments when the animal is actively being attacked or facing a severe threat. The intensity of this sound reflects extreme fear, contrasting sharply with the controlled warning of the defensive hiss.
When an opossum is attacked by a domestic pet or struck by a vehicle, this piercing scream is their reaction to trauma. These sounds often alarm homeowners because they signal an animal’s reaction to an immediate, life-threatening situation, rather than a simple defensive warning.
Juvenile opossums also emit a loud, repetitive call when separated from their mother. This distress vocalization is meant to signal their location.
Quiet Communication Clicks and Chuffs
Opossums utilize a range of soft, short-range sounds for close-contact communication that are rarely heard by humans. One such sound is a distinct, rapid clicking noise, which serves a function in both courtship and parental care. Males will produce a clicking sound as a mating call to attract a female during the breeding season.
Baby opossums, or joeys, also rely on a clicking vocalization when they are hungry or separated from their mother’s back or pouch. These small sounds are often described as a “che” or a soft, sneeze-like noise. They are designed to be heard only over a short distance to avoid attracting predators.