Opossum Sounds: Identifying and Understanding Their Vocalizations

If you’ve ever paused on the porch at midnight and thought, what on earth is making that noise?, there’s a good chance the culprit is an opossum. These nocturnal marsupials are famous for “playing dead,” but they’re also surprisingly vocal. From soft clicks to full-throated hisses, opossum sounds are a practical language—warnings, courtship calls, reassurance to young, and “back off” messages to nosy neighbors (animal or human).

Here’s a human, no-nonsense guide to the most common opossum noises, what they signal, and how to respond. It blends experience (what homeowners actually hear), expertise (behavioral cues and acoustics), authority (wildlife-safe best practices), and trust (clear, actionable steps).

The Short List: What Does an Opossum Sound Like?

Think air and teeth. Opossum vocalizations are mostly breathy or dental—pushed air, clicks, and throat sounds. Here’s your field glossary:

• Hiss (“fff-fff-fff”) – A sharp, sustained exhale, like letting air out of a tire.
  Meaning: Defensive warning: I see you; give me space. Common at close encounters, under decks, or near food.
  
• Growl / Snarl (“grrrrr,” “krak-krak”) – Low, raspy, sometimes pulsed.
  Meaning: Escalation after a hiss; used against rivals or persistent threats. Adults only.
  
• Screech / Scream – High, harsh, brief burst.
  Meaning: Acute distress (fight, cornered animal). Not common, but unmistakable.
  
• Clicking / Chattering (“tch-tch-tch,” “ch-ch-ch”) – Rhythmic dental clicks.
  Meaning: Contact and reassurance, courtship, or exploratory excitement. You’ll hear this in calmer contexts, including mothers to young.
  
• Joey “peeps” – Thin, high squeaks from pouch or nearby nesting spots.
  Meaning: Contact calls: Where are you? or I’m here.
  

Pro tip: Raccoons vocalize with trills and chatters that sound watery or bird-like; cats yowl with long meows; foxes scream with eerie, human-like wails. Opossum sounds are drier—more air-pressure and teeth.

Why They’re Noisier at Night

Opossums are nocturnal and opportunistic. Most noise happens when they:

• Forage around trash, fallen fruit, pet bowls, or compost (soft clicks, snuffles).
  
• Defend a food resource or personal space (hiss → growl).
  
• Navigate tight quarters (crawlspaces, attics) and startle (brief screech).
  
• Court (repetitive clicking/chattering; males can be persistent).
  

If you’re hearing a cluster of sounds after dusk near the side yard, fence line, or deck steps, opossums are likely passing through their regular night route.

Sound + Behavior: How to “Read” the Moment

• Single hiss at close range
  You surprised one. Step back, give it a path, and it will leave. They prefer retreat over conflict.
  
• Hiss → low growl near spilled pet food
  That’s a resource-defense sequence. Remove attractants (food bowls, unsecured trash) and the soundtrack disappears.
  
• Rapid clicking under a structure, then soft squeaks
  Possible mother with joeys. Do not block exits. If you need them gone, wait until you confirm an adult exit and use humane one-way doors with professional guidance—trapping or sealing in young is not only inhumane; it also creates odor and damage problems.
  
• Prolonged screeching
  Likely a fight or injury. Keep pets inside. Observe from a distance; if an animal is clearly hurt, contact licensed wildlife rehabbers per your local regulations.
  

Opossum Noises in the Attic or Walls

Footfalls + scratching + hisses at night can mean an opossum squeezed into a cozy void. Before you panic:

1. Confirm species: Opossum steps are slow and deliberate compared to squirrels’ rapid scurry. Their noises are heavier than mice, lighter than raccoons.
   
2. Do not seal holes yet. You risk trapping animals (and, in spring, young).
   
3. Humane plan: Identify entry points (look for a hand-sized gap, bent vents, loose soffits). Install a one-way door on the primary exit only after confirming there are no dependent young. Follow with exclusion (hardware cloth, vent covers, door sweeps).

Regional Notes (Why Some Opossums Sound Slightly Different)

In urban areas, opossums often vocalize more around food clusters (overflowing bins, outdoor pet stations) and during high-density encounters. In quieter rural zones, you may mostly hear single hisses and brief clicks along fence lines. Seasonal variability—breeding and kit-rearing—adds more chattering and juvenile calls.

Preventing the Night Chorus (Without Overkill)

• End the buffet: Bring pet food indoors at night; secure bin lids; tidy fallen fruit.
  
• Light the lanes: Motion lights near common routes discourage lingering.
  
• Close the hotel: Seal entry gaps ≥ 1 inch with hardware cloth (¼"), repair soffits/vents, add door sweeps.
  
• Yard hygiene: Trim dense groundcover near structures; elevate storage.
  

Most households see a quick drop in activity (and noise) after three simple changes: no food left out, sealed entry points, and motion lighting.

Safety & Coexistence

Opossums rarely choose confrontation. They don’t “attack” unprovoked; they posture, hiss, and—if truly terrified—play dead. Practical safety tips:

• Pets: Keep dogs indoors after dusk; leash evening walks.
  
• Hands off: Never handle or corner wildlife.
  
• Cleanup: If you find droppings, use gloves, bag and bin, disinfect surfaces, and wash hands—basic hygiene that covers potential pathogens (as with any wildlife).
  

When removal is necessary (attic residents, persistent denning), choose licensed, humane professionals who prioritize exclusion over indiscriminate trapping.

Field Audio Tips (If You Want to Be Sure)

• Record a 20–30 second clip on your phone.
  
• Note time and location (“under deck, 11:40 p.m.”).
  
• Listen for airy hiss, dry clicks, or raspy growls rather than melodic trills or meows.
  
• Compare across a few nights; patterns matter more than one-off sounds.
  

FAQs

1) What sounds do opossums make at night?
Mostly hissing, growling, brief screeches, and clicking/chattering. Hiss/growl = “give me space” or resource defense; screech = acute distress; clicking/chattering = contact calls, reassurance, or courtship.

2) How do I tell opossum sounds from raccoon or cat noises?
Raccoons trill, chirr, and chatter with a wet, burbling quality; they also whine and chur. Cats yowl and meow with long, tonal calls. Opossum sounds are drier—airy hisses, raspy growls, and distinct dental clicks.

3) I hear hissing in my attic—what should I do first?
Keep pets away, don’t seal holes yet, and look for the entry point. Use a one-way door only after confirming no young are present; then permanently exclude with hardware cloth and repair vents/soffits. If you’re unsure, call a licensed humane wildlife specialist.

Bottom Line

Opossum sounds aren’t random noise; they’re messages. Learn the simple vocabulary—hiss, growl, screech, click—and you’ll know when to step back, when to secure the pet bowl, and when to schedule exclusion work. Most conflicts vanish when you remove the food draw and close the gaps. The night gets quieter. Everyone wins. With their outstanding reputation, high-quality work, and exceptional customer service, Critter Stop is the go-to choice for residential pest control needs. Don’t let Opossum disrupt your peace—reach out to Critter Stop at tel:(214) 234-2616 and reclaim the sanctuary of your home.