Squirrels are a familiar sight, known for their agile movements and diverse vocalizations. Their sounds, though sometimes seeming like random chattering, serve specific communication purposes.
Squirrel Communication: A Symphony of Sounds
Squirrels use a variety of sounds to communicate. Beyond the loud “scream,” they produce chirps, barks, and chatters. High-pitched chirping often indicates excitement or aggravation. Chattering, characterized by clicking and squeaking, signals communication among squirrels.
Eastern gray squirrels are particularly known for their chattering. They also use short, sharp barks, sometimes called “kuks,” which resemble a small dog’s bark. These barks can combine with longer, raspier “quaas” or softer “moans,” forming a complex vocal repertoire.
The Urgent Call: Reasons Behind the Scream
A loud, high-pitched scream or screech from a squirrel is usually an urgent call. One primary reason is as an alarm against predators. Squirrels use these screams to alert others to threats like hawks, cats, or coyotes. This warns others and can cause the predator to lose its element of surprise.
Screaming can also occur during territorial disputes, especially among highly territorial species like the red squirrel. When an intruder approaches a squirrel’s established area, particularly near food caches or nesting sites, the resident squirrel may emit screeches and rattles as a form of aggression. These sounds challenge the encroaching squirrel and defend resources.
A squirrel may also scream when in distress or experiencing injury. This loud call indicates extreme fear, being cornered, or physical harm. Young squirrels, or kits, can also produce high-pitched chirping or crying noises when distressed or seeking their mother’s attention; by four weeks of age, they are capable of short screams. This distress call can attract other squirrels, including protective mothers, to investigate.
While less common for the typical “scream,” some loud vocalizations can be part of mating or courtship rituals. During mating season, male squirrels may produce intense sounds, sometimes described as chattering or barking, while chasing a female. These can be accompanied by softer “muk-muk” sounds, which male squirrels use to signal non-threatening intentions to a female. Female squirrels may also emit barks or calls when in estrus.
Decoding the Message: Context is Key
Interpreting a squirrel’s scream requires attention to its specific context. Observing body language provides important clues; for instance, tail flicking often accompanies alarm calls, signaling vigilance or agitation.
The presence of other animals or the specific location of the screaming squirrel can also help differentiate the message. A scream near a bird of prey or a cat suggests a predator alarm. If the scream happens during an interaction with another squirrel, especially if chasing is involved, it might indicate a territorial dispute or mating behavior. A continuous, sustained scream from a single squirrel might indicate deep distress or injury.
The intensity and duration of the vocalization also offer insights into its meaning. Short, sharp, repeated barks (“kuks”) evolving into longer, more intense calls (“quaas”) typically signal a heightened predator threat. Conversely, a mix of alarm calls with “rattle” calls often indicates territorial aggression between squirrels rather than a direct predator threat.