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Much Noise? Now We Know!

Why Squirrels Make So

Much Noise? Now We Know!
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Squirrels are generally referred to as

troublesome, and this is not only because
they raid attics and damage electrical cables.
They also cause trouble by grating on our
nerves with their penetrating noises.

The sounds they make are numerous, and in

squirrel-infested areas, it may lead to
sleepless nights. This article will explore the
type of sounds made by squirrels and the
reasons they make them.

Sounds Made By Squirrels

The sounds made by squirrels are commonly
referred to as chattering or chirping. They are
employed to communicate different
situations and express emotions. The four
main ways in which squirrels vocalize their
feelings are;

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• Kuks: This is a piercing, brief, barking sound.

It is usually repeated several times by the
squirrel and lasts for about 0.15 seconds each
time. To get this sound, visualize speeding up
a dog’s bark and fitting it into the tiny body of
a squirrel.
• Quaas: This is the longer, more screeching
version of a Kuk. The main difference is that it
lasts longer than 0.15 seconds.
• Moans: Despite its name, it sounds nothing
like the moans made by humans. It is a steady
whistle sound.
• Muk Muk: This is a quiet puffing sound
usually made by baby squirrels to call their
mothers.

These sounds can also be used in

combination.

Reasons Why Squirrels

Make So Much Noise:
Protect Territory
This type of noise occurs more in tree
squirrels than ground squirrels. Tree squirrels
are incredibly territorial and usually make
threatening Kuks and Quaas to prevent rival
squirrels from approaching their space.

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Because they are so high above the ground,

tree squirrels do not have to worry about
ground predators and make loud noises while
in the trees.

The situation is different for ground squirrels

as they have to communicate in quieter tones
while trying to evade both aerial and ground
predators. Ground squirrels spend more time
communicating as a community than making
sounds to protect their territory.

Express Danger
This sound is more common among ground
squirrels as they come into contact with more
predators. When the squirrel spots a predator
such as a hawk or a cat, it begins to make a
string of loud “barking” noises – kuks – to
alert the other squirrels in its community.

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The danger sound lasts for a long time as the

kuks become quaas when the predator gets
closer, and the quaas become kuks when the
predator begins to move away.

The danger sound may sometimes be

mistaken for territorial sounds, but if the
squirrel is carefully observed, the real reason
for the sound would be discovered.

On some occasions, territorial sounds and

danger sounds are made at the same time,
but this only happens when two squirrels are
fighting over a territory.

Threaten A Predator
Squirrels make sounds to discourage other
animals from approaching them or their food.
The squirrel scolds the intruder by making
kuks and screeching sounds.

For instance, when a squirrel spots an animal

it can contest, such as a mouse, it threatens
them. If the animals refuse to leave, it attacks.

Squirrels can also scold humans when they

approach their nest or food and are not
beyond attacking when provoked.

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Ask For Food

Baby squirrels make this type of sound as
they cannot fend for themselves in the first 2
months after birth. They make the muk muk
sound to alert the mother of their hunger and
call her back to the nest.

Humans rarely hear this type of sound as the

baby squirrels remain in their nests high
above the ground.

Reasons Squirrels Make So Much Noise

Baby Squirrels can also make screaming

noises from about three weeks old and use
this sound to call their mother when they spot
danger.

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Initiate Mating
When a male squirrel spots a female squirrel
that he is interested in mating with, he
vocalizes his interests by making the muk muk
sounds of a baby squirrel. He doesn’t make
the kuk or the quaa sound as they can be
interpreted as a threat by the female.

He woos her by making the puffing sounds

and chasing her across the forest. When the
female squirrel approves of the mating, she
stops running and makes the kuk and quaa
sound at a steady and tonal pace that is
usually referred to as the moan.

One or more male squirrels may pursue the

female simultaneously, which would lead to a
fight pronounced by loud territorial sounds
and scratches. The winner of the fight gets to
continue pursuing the female and eventually
mate with her.

Why Squirrels Make Noises

At Night
Most squirrel species are diurnal and can be
found resting at night. The only squirrels that
can be heard chirping at night are flying
squirrels, and they do not make as much
noise.

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However, when they are communicating with

each other, they make ultrasonic sounds or
loud sounds.

Since flying squirrels are nocturnal, they

perform at night all the actions performed by
other species during the day. So, the
chattering may be to express danger, mating,
or mark territory.

Why Squirrels Make Crying

Noises
The squirrel noises regarded by humans are
crying noises are actually kuks and quaas
made when a predator is spotted. It is a
distress call/cry made to alert other squirrels
of the danger.

The crying sound can also be heard when a

squirrel is injured and unable to return to its
nest. In this situation, the squirrel cries until it
is eaten by a predator or rescued.

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Conclusion
Though the noises can be pretty exasperating,
there is beauty in observing the squirrels
communicate with one another.

Squirrels aren’t big, neither are they scary, but

they have been able to protect themselves
and their young ones. They do this by
effectively communicating within their
families and their community.

Next time you spot them in a park or the

woods, observe them communicate with
others or simply watch them in their element
and appreciate the beauty of nature.

Amanda

Purrfect n’ Pawesome is the brainchild of Amanda, who

has been into researching and writing about pets to help
other pet parents in nurturing their adorable pets.
Currently, she runs Purrfect n’ Pawesome along with her
team of experienced and dedicated pet experts. Along with
being an awesome writer and entrepreneur, Amanda is a
cat mom to two innocently spoiled cats, Balanca and
Scruffy.
She has been writing about pet care and nurturing and
wants to share her readers’ experiences, learnings, and
knowledge.
Over the years, she had the opportunity to work with
various pet owners having multiple breeds, and that
exposure gave her experience and the lessons of a lifetime.
Her family, her entire universe revolves around her two
cats, who give her endless support and inspiration to move
ahead with her objectives in life. Amanda is a live example
of a balanced approach to all parenthood questions we all
face in life.

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