When it comes to the particular sounds they like to make, it all comes down to their gender.
Males tend to produce a lot more vocals than the females because of their roars and grunts which also tend to be much louder.
Shrieking
This is the most common sound you will know a Koala to make. Their shriek is from deep in the larynx.
This is a very unusual sound that they create and you probably won’t be expecting what it sounds like but it is created from a second vocal cord and can be much lower than expected.
Bellowing
This type of sound is made during mating season by the males when they are trying to get the female’s attention.
It is similar with many animals to do something during mating season and this is their thing.
Sometimes they even sound like they are roaring, but it is more of a bellow.
Snarl
The snarling will arise when the males are protecting themselves from intruders.
It is a warning sound and can be quite loud.
Females also make these sounds but in a much lower tone and don’t tend to be as loud.
When the danger increases, you will hear the snarls only getting louder and louder until there is an attack.
Scream
This is their alarming sound to warn others that there is a predator coming.
They are only made in short notes but are quite high-range but deep.
You might also hear screams from the females during the mating season as you will find a lot of the males harassing them during this period.
Roar
You will most likely hear a roar sound when a Koala is getting beaten up.
It is very common to find that younger Koalas tend to fight with the adults when they meet for the first time.
Do They Also Have Different Calls?
Most animals that are very social with one another will have different calls which translate into different signals for Koala’s.
Here are a few of these calls and why they make them!
Night Calls
The night calls are made on the off season when they are warning of other Koalas. This is a threat to them not to come near them.
However, you will not be able to hear many of these throughout the year.
Alarm
This is when they are responding to an unwelcome predator. This can either be a mix of action and sound or just bellowing.
This might sound quite similar to the sounds they make in the breeding system.
Mating
mating is one of the times where there will be lots of sounds going on at the same time.
You have the males making sounds to attract the females and you have the females shrieking when they are getting harassed.
Dominating
Even Koalas have a dominance call for when they are fighting for their land and territory.
The power of sound in this moment is very intense and it can be very loud. Like dogs, they will also mark their area with their scent as a way of showing their dominance.
Baby Koala’s
You will hear the most sound from a baby Koala when it is separated from its mother because they are very attached at the start of their lives.
You are likely to hear a lot of screaming and screeching when they can’t find her.
This is them showing their emotional distress of not being with her which is quite similar to most human babies.
You will also hear the mother shreil when she hears her baby to let them know she is coming back to them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do Koalas Make Sounds?
Koalas make sounds for many reasons, but mainly for attracting mates.
They also make sounds for a number of other reasons, such as marking their territory, auditioning for mates and making noise in certain situations that are known to cause stress.
All animals make sounds for different reasons but it is usually if they want or need something or are protecting themselves.
Even though some of the sounds might overlap slightly, you will be able to tell the difference between a bellow and a scream and what that will mean for them.
Like any animals, they are very protective of their territory and families which is one of the most common reasons for sounds when fighting off predators from them.
Hopefully this guide has shed some light on why Koala’s make certain sounds and have different calls they make.
There are more than you might have initially thought but wild Koala’s are very different to the ones you might have been in the Zoo because they are in their natural habitats where their behavior is real.
Hi, I’m Olivia Kepner and I am a zookeeper here in San Diego. Since I was a young girl I have always been fascinated by animals and species across the globe.
I used to beg my parents to take me to our local zoo every single weekend. Well, I say local – it was more like a two hour drive away. But they took me as much as they could, allowing me to fall in love with the animals again and again.
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