Ever wondered what noise opossums make? Honestly, these animals usually keep things pretty quiet. Most of the time, opossums stay silent so they don’t attract attention, but when they need to, they can hiss, growl, or even click. You’ll mostly hear these sounds if they feel scared or want to communicate with each other.
If an opossum feels threatened, you might catch it hissing or growling. Those noises act as warnings—sort of a “back off” message.
You’ll also hear clicking sounds when it’s mating season or when they’re calling to their babies. Baby opossums, or joeys, sometimes make a sneeze-like noise to get their mom’s attention.
Trying to figure out what these different opossum sounds mean? It can help you understand their behavior a bit better. Even though they’re mostly quiet, these little moments of noise say a lot.
Common Opossum Noises and Their Meanings
Opossums use a few different sounds to talk to each other, warn off threats, or attract attention. If you have these nocturnal animals nearby, you might hear hissing, clicking, or growling.
Knowing what these noises mean can help you figure out if an opossum is scared, looking for a mate, or just feeling uneasy.
Hissing Sounds and Why Opossums Hiss
Opossums usually hiss when they’re scared or threatened. The hissing is sharp and loud, almost like a cat’s hiss, and it’s meant to warn you or other animals to stay away.
If you hear hissing along with scratching or chewing noises in the attic or walls, the opossum probably feels cornered and wants you to back off.
Hissing acts as a defense move, not an attack. The opossum just wants to scare off whatever’s bothering it.
If you come across this sound, it’s smart to keep your distance and avoid making any sudden moves.
Clicking and Lip-Smacking Calls in Communication
You’ll hear clicking and lip-smacking noises mostly during mating season. Opossums use these sounds to find and attract mates.
The clicking is soft and repeats, so it’s not as harsh as the noises they make when they’re afraid.
You might notice these clicks if there’s an opossum problem near your home at night. Since they’re nocturnal, these calls happen after dark.
These softer sounds mean the opossum is focused on communication, not defense.
Growling and Grunting: Aggressive and Defense Behavior
Opossums growl and grunt when they feel threatened. These sounds are deeper and more rumbling than hissing.
The growling lets you know the opossum is scared but ready to defend itself if it has to.
If you hear growling along with scratching or chewing in your attic, the opossum probably wants to be left alone. These noises are just part of their defense, and they rarely lead to actual attacks.
If they’re causing trouble, it’s better to remove them safely or call a professional.
Learn more about opossum noises and what they mean.
How to Distinguish Opossum Sounds From Other Wildlife
Ever hear strange noises around your house at night and wonder who’s making them? Figuring out the difference in sounds can help you tell if it’s an opossum or some other critter like raccoons, skunks, or rodents.
Opossum Noises vs Raccoons, Skunks, and Rodents
Opossums tend to hiss or growl when they’re scared. They also click when looking for a mate.
These sounds are usually quieter and less sharp than raccoon noises, which can include loud chattering, screeches, and snarls.
Skunks make a warning hiss and sometimes grunt, but their sounds are more drawn-out compared to the quick hisses from opossums.
Rodents like mice and rats usually make quick squeaks or rustling noises as they scurry around.
Birds and bats almost never hiss or growl, so if you hear those sounds, you’re probably dealing with opossums or some other mammal.
Identifying Opossum Activity at Night
Opossums get most active after dark. If you hear clicking, hissing, or growling between dusk and dawn, there’s a good chance an opossum is nearby.
Look for shallow scratch marks near bushes or trash bins. Opossums move slowly and don’t climb as much as squirrels or raccoons, so if the sounds come from the ground or low areas, it might be them.
Noises in the attic probably aren’t opossums, since they prefer to stay close to the ground. Mice, rats, or bats are more likely to make sounds overhead.
When to Call Wildlife Control for Opossum Issues
If you keep hearing hissing or growling around your home, it’s probably time to call wildlife or critter control. An opossum might feel threatened and just won’t leave on its own.
You might also spot damage to your trash cans or garden. When you notice these signs along with strange noises, it’s usually a good idea to reach out for professional help.
Don’t try to handle opossums by yourself—they can bite if they’re scared, and they sometimes carry diseases. Wildlife control experts have the training to safely remove and relocate them, so you and your home stay safe.
If you’re not sure whether you’re dealing with an opossum, raccoon, or even a skunk, calling critter control makes sense. Each animal needs a different approach, and the pros can figure it out.
