Wait, Sharks Make Noises? (And Other Animal Sounds That Will Shock You)
For years, people assumed sharks were the silent type, but that’s not true, and they aren’t alone when it comes to creatures like sharks that make noises. Some of the world’s strangest creatures make sounds so unexpected, they’ll have you questioning everything you thought you knew about the animal kingdom. We’ve compiled 15 animals whose sounds just might catch you off guard.
Sharks Click Their Teeth Like Castanets
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Rig sharks off the coast of New Zealand have been recorded producing sharp underwater clicks—something previously thought impossible for any shark. Scientists believe they’re snapping their rows of dense, flat teeth together, which produce brief, high-frequency clicks that reach a startling 156 decibels.
Alpacas Sound Like Squeaky Toys in Distress
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When danger’s near, alpacas let out a high-pitched squeak that sounds like someone squeezing a rubber toy on loop. It’s their version of a panic button. The sound is meant to alert other alpacas, and it might also startle a predator long enough for the herd to regroup.
Foxes Can Sound Like Someone Screaming
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Their scream-like vocalization is often mistaken for a person in distress. The raspy bark or shriek is usually a warning to other foxes or a call during mating season. These nocturnal animals have an entire sound library, from yelps to yowls, but it’s the human-like scream that throws people off.
Howler Monkeys Roar Loud Enough to Wake a Jungle
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When a howler monkey lets loose, the whole jungle knows. Their deep, roaring calls are among the loudest in the animal kingdom, thanks to an oversized hyoid bone that acts like a built-in amplifier. They don’t yell all day, though most of their time is spent lounging in trees.
Common Loons Wail Like Haunting Forest Spirits
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Their “wail” mimics a wolf howling, while the male’s “yodel” serves as a territory claim. These birds use sound to stay in touch when visibility is low. And thanks to their acoustic structure, a single loon can be heard across vast stretches of water.
Giraffes Hum Low Notes Only at Night
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They might be tall and quiet by day, but giraffes hum at around 92 hertz when the sun goes down. Because giraffes tend to space out while browsing for food, this humming may help them stay aware of each other’s location without making themselves too noticeable to predators.
American Alligators Bellow With Bass That Rattles Water
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The deep bellow alligators release causes the water around them to ripple as their entire body vibrates. Bigger gators bellow at lower pitches. It’s one of the rare sounds that creates visible surface disruption. And yes, it’s as intimidating as it sounds when you’re near the swamp.
Barn Owls Shriek Like They’re in a Horror Film
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Forget the gentle hoots associated with owls. Barn owls go straight to nightmare fuel. Their screech is a high-pitched, rasping scream used for both warning and communication. It often catches people off guard, especially since barn owls are such quiet fliers.
Desert Frogs Sound Like Tiny Squeaky Shoes
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These frogs, with short legs and a waddling walk, let out high-pitched peeps that sound almost comically synthetic. It’s a defensive call, meant to startle predators. Given their small size and lack of hopping ability, it makes sense that they’d rely on audio distraction over athletic escapes.
Great Blue Herons Sound Like Prehistoric Beasts
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The great blue heron, standing nearly five feet tall, already looks like it belongs in the age of dinosaurs. Then it opens its mouth. It’s drawn-out, rattling squawk is harsh, almost mechanical, and surprisingly loud. The call often comes when the bird is startled into flight, adding to the shock factor.
Mountain Lions Scream Like They’re Straight Out of a Thriller
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A mountain lion’s scream sounds sharp and eerily human, and people have mistaken it for a distressed woman. They use the sound during mating season or when defending territory. They’re solitary and stealthy, so you probably won’t see one, but if it screams nearby, you’ll know something’s out there.
Emus Drum With a Dinosaur-Like Thump
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The deep, echoing thuds that emus produce come from inflatable neck pouches used to resonate sound. It’s a prehistoric-sounding beat that some believe inspired movie dinosaur audio effects. Their booming drumming can be heard from over a mile away and is used to attract mates or warn rivals.
Baby Harp Seals Growl Like Angry Pups
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They look like plush toys, but baby harp seals can snarl with attitude. Their low growls sound dog-like, earning them the nickname “water dogs.” The growl is a defense mechanism, usually aimed at anything that gets too close.
King Cobras Hiss With a Growl-Like Rumble
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The king cobra produces a low-pitched, growling hiss that’s deeper and more menacing than most snakes. It’s designed and heard, making it an effective defense signal. At up to 18 feet long, these snakes use the hiss to hold their ground.
Tasmanian Devils Shriek, Growl, and Snort Like Demons
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Everything about the Tasmanian devil’s vocal range screams chaos. Their unfiltered mix of screams, coughs, growls, and snorts gave them their name and inspired the classic cartoon. The noises usually come out during feeding or fighting, and they don’t hold back.