The North American Opossum is a solitary, nocturnal marsupial often associated with silence. Despite their generally quiet nature, these animals are capable of various vocalizations used for communication. Since they are most active after sunset, the sounds they produce are primarily heard at night and can sometimes be mistaken for other nocturnal wildlife. Possums are typically only vocal when a situation demands it, such as during perceived danger or social interactions.
Identifying Common Possum Vocalizations
Adult possums communicate using a limited set of distinct sounds, many of which are breathy or dental in origin. The most common sound heard by humans is a sharp, defensive hiss, which is a sustained exhale of air that sounds much like a flat tire or a snake. This sound is a clear, immediate warning intended to keep any perceived threat at a distance.
If the threat persists, the possum may escalate its vocalization into a low, raspy growl or snarl, sometimes described as guttural. This serves as an immediate escalation after the initial hiss, signaling that the animal is highly distressed or cornered and prepared to defend itself.
Beyond these aggressive warnings, a rhythmic clicking or chattering sound is a softer, yet still common, vocalization. This noise involves rapid dental clicks and is used in non-threatening contexts, such as for contact, reassurance, or exploratory behavior. In rare instances of acute distress, such as a physical fight or being truly trapped, an adult possum may emit a harsh, high-pitched screech or scream.
Behavioral Triggers for Sound Production
The context in which a possum makes a sound is directly tied to its immediate behavioral state, with the most intense vocalizations reserved for self-defense. The aggressive hiss and growl are primarily triggered by a threat display, used to deter a predator or a rival animal that has encroached on its personal space or a feeding source. This defensive posture is often accompanied by baring its teeth to amplify the warning.
When the animal feels trapped and cannot flee, the growl may deepen and become more urgent, signaling imminent physical defense. These sounds are a form of bluff, intended to make the possum appear more formidable than its generally nonaggressive nature suggests. The sudden, high-intensity screech is a desperate response when the animal is actively engaged in a dangerous fight or is in severe pain.
The softer clicking and chattering noises are primarily social signals, often triggered during the mating ritual. Male possums often make a peculiar, constant clicking sound as they wander in search of a mate. A receptive female may sometimes repeat this clicking sound in return, facilitating the pairing.
Unique Sounds of Young Possums
The vocal repertoire of young possums, known as joeys, is distinct from that of adults and focuses almost entirely on maternal communication and distress. When a joey is separated from its mother or is stressed, it will emit a thin, high-pitched sneeze-like noise or a series of peeps.
This repetitive call acts as a contact signal, informing the mother of the joey’s location and need for reassurance or rescue. In response, the mother possum may reply with her own clicking sound, which serves as an auditory guide for the young to locate her.
These juvenile sounds are much softer and less likely to be heard by a human unless the young animals are very close. If a young possum is directly confronted or threatened, it will also quietly hiss, though this is a much less powerful sound than the defensive vocalization produced by an adult.