The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is the only marsupial found in North America. These nocturnal animals are typically silent and solitary, which is why their sudden vocalizations can be surprising to humans. Opossums prefer to avoid confrontation, but they produce sounds when threatened, seeking a mate, or communicating with their young. Understanding these distinct noises and their context offers insight into the animal’s behavior and intentions.
Defensive Vocalizations
The most common and noticeable sounds an opossum makes are intended for self-defense and threat deterrence. When cornered or surprised, the opossum often begins with a loud, drawn-out hissing sound. This hiss is a sharp, sustained exhale that serves as a clear warning sign to an approaching predator or rival. If the threat persists, the opossum escalates its vocalization to a low, raspy growl or snarl, sometimes described as a pulsed, guttural sound.
These defensive noises are an attempt to intimidate an aggressor into leaving and are rooted in fear, not actual aggression. A threatened opossum may also release an unpleasant-smelling, greenish excretion from its anal glands during these encounters. In cases of extreme duress or physical conflict, the animal may emit a high-pitched, harsh screech or shriek. This sound signifies acute distress and is designed to startle a predator long enough for the opossum to attempt an escape.
Social and Courtship Sounds
Outside of self-defense, opossums use a different set of softer sounds for social and reproductive communication. A frequently noted non-defensive noise is a rhythmic clicking or chattering sound, often produced by dental clicks. This clicking is associated with the male’s courtship display during the breeding season. The male makes these sounds while searching for a receptive female, who may repeat the sound in return to signal her readiness to mate.
These soft clicks and chatters are not exclusively for mating and can also function as a general contact call or sign of reassurance in calmer contexts. Adult opossums may also make low lip-smacking or chuffing sounds when interacting at close range. Since opossums are solitary animals, these non-aggressive vocalizations are one of the few instances where adults communicate, primarily centered around locating partners.
Sounds of Juvenile Opossums
Young opossums, known as joeys, rely on their own specific set of sounds to communicate with their mother and siblings. The most common noises from a juvenile are high-pitched squeaks and chirps, which serve as contact calls. These sounds are particularly heard when the joeys are in the mother’s pouch or nesting area.
When a joey becomes separated from its mother, it often produces a thin, high-pitched vocalization described as a sneeze-like sound. This “sneezing” sound signals the mother, who typically responds with a clicking noise and waits for the baby to locate her. Within the litter, soft buzzing sounds may also be used to communicate. If a juvenile is directly threatened, it may quietly hiss, attempting to use a defensive vocalization until the threat is gone.