Do Turtles Make Noise? Pet Turtle Facts That Will Surprise You!

Turtles do not have vocal cords, so how could your pet turtle hiss?

Turtle hissing is often inaudible, and turtle owners might not even hear them. However, it is natural for most turtles to make common noises and continuous cries when they feel threatened or when pet turtles communicate with their owner.

Turtles' distinct sounds are often low-pitched sounds or low-frequency sounds, which are the common noises of turtles breathing. Such sounds from these aquatic species are created by inhalation and exhalation of air.

The chirping sounds of the adult turtles can be heard when they are near the nesting beaches. A hissing turtle or continuous cry may also indicate that they are in pain and may have an infection, such as a respiratory infection.

When turtles are aggressive, they mostly have audible sounds. The hissing noise of turtles is often related to fear.

Turtles communicate using different low-frequency sounds or other sounds such as hissing sounds and chirping sounds. At times, it might also happen that the turtle sound is a sign of defending themselves.

If you own pet turtles and your pet turtle hisses, this might mean different things.

The Arrau turtle hatchlings are known to communicate 10 days prior to hatching from the egg. Not only these turtle species but even other baby turtles such as baby sea turtles are known to produce sounds that have low-frequency sounds and communicate with each other.

The baby sea turtles' sounds are common noises like hums.

Turtles like aquatic turtles, snapping turtles, red-eared sliders, or giant Amazon river turtles make noises but without vocal cords. During the breeding season, the mating noises of the turtles can be heard, such as the sound of shell rubbing against the shell of the other sex, including the continuous cry that sounds like the common noise of the turtles.

If you own red-eared sliders and chirping sounds are heard, then it might be a sign that they are suffering from some illness.

If you enjoy reading this article about turtle vocalizations, the hissing sound they produce, and turtle mating sounds, then do read some interesting and surprising fun facts' articles about whether turtles shed and if turtles sleep underwater.

Why do turtles make noise?

The noises turtles make vary, such as chirping, grunting, crying, hissing, and gurgling. It varies why a turtle's sounds differ on separate occasions, such as a chirping sound when suffering from some illness or a change in water temperature, a hissing sound when turtles feel scared or when they are taking a defensive step.

Turtle sounds such as hissing sounds are often used to communicate with each other, be it between sea turtles or red-eared slider turtles. The red-eared slider chirping is most evident when the water quality has changed or the water is too cold for these cold-blooded animals or when they suffer from respiratory illness.

While snapping turtle species are considered one of the most dangerous species, the hissing sound is frequently heard when they are provoked by human activity.

The large heads with powerful jaws make them more aggressive. Box turtle species are known to make clicking sounds and turtle sounds when they are dehydrated and basking in the sun.

Baby sea turtles are known to produce humming sounds within the eggs to synchronize the hatching process. The sound is also produced to attract the adult female turtle to guide them towards the sea from their nests. This case is evident in the Arrau turtle species of the Amazon River.

Pet turtles are also known to produce sounds such as clicking, grunting, and a hissing sound to approach their owners when they need something or if they are suffering through some pain.

Generally, turtles do not have vocal cords, but the breathing of the turtles enables them to make different noises. However, if you have a pet turtle, you must be familiar with and aware of each noise source before coming to a conclusion.

Turtles even make squeaking sounds when they are eating or want to show their excitement to the owner, while in tortoises, such sounds are a sign that they are either stressed out or having respiratory problems.

Do turtles make noise when hurt?

Yes, turtles make noise when they are hurt. Basically, when they are heavy breathing or suffering from a respiratory illness, the turtles do make different noises, such as continuous cries and hissing sounds.

Turtle sounds are well known among the turtles' owners, such as grunting when they are hungry, crying when they are hurt or suffering through some problem, hissing when they feel threatened or angry, and chirping either due to stress or change in the environment.

Apart from the above sounds, the turtle species are also known to whistle or produce a whistling sound similar to that of a human whistle with a closed mouth.

This could be indicative that the turtle is not well and needs immediate vet help. The whistling turtle usually indicates that they are suffering from some respiratory problem.

If you, as the owner, notice some symptoms such as white residue in their mouth, a change in eating habits, or heavy breathing, then you should immediately take the turtle to the vet for a diagnosis.

A crying sound is also evident in a few cases. Turtles do have emotions, and in order to balance the amount of salt in their bodies, they make low-frequency sounds like whistling, bellowing, and crying.

Even if they are being attacked by predators, they will make some noise if it is beyond their bearing power. Sea turtles frequently cry out in pain, and they can even hear the sounds through their middle ear. They have the inner ear and middle ear.

Sea turtles are known to communicate with each other through a unique method of squirting water and blinking. They also indulge themselves in biting to communicate with each other.

Do turtles make the same noise as frogs?

There is no specific answer to the question above, because both the species, whether they be turtles or frogs, are semi-aquatic animals and inhabit the land, as well as, water.

Turtles are known to produce low-frequency sounds because they do not have vocal cords. However, the frogs' sounds can often be heard clearly at night and during the monsoon season.

Now, when it is about the similarity in their sounds or noises produced, then both species might vary from each other on the basis of frequency, but when it comes to sounds produced at a low frequency while eating or yawning, then there might be similarities between the two species.

Frogs have vocal cords, so their sounds are audible to humans, but when we talk about turtles, it is just totally different. Frogs are amphibians, while turtles are semi-aquatic reptile animals.

So, both species vary a lot from each other, apart from the fact that they might share the same habitat. So, it can be concluded that the sounds produced by turtles are very different from turtles on the basis of the frequency they produce.

Why is my turtle making clicking noises?

Clicking noises are often made by turtles, such as red-eared slider turtles, when they are dehydrated while basking in the sun and when they are searching for their partners during the breeding season.

Turtles are known to reproduce different sounds. Clicking noises are also one of them.

Clicking noises that sound like 'tsk, tsk' can also be evident when the breeding season of the turtles begins. The male might produce the clicking or clucking sound to find a female partner, but from most evidence, the clicking sound is produced when they are dehydrated and their bodies require more water.

While basking in the sun's light, these low-frequency sounds are often heard. Most of the sound produced by turtles generally goes unheard because of their low-frequency level, because turtles lack vocal cords like other animals.

Clicking sounds may also be used to communicate with other turtle species, but this is subject to variation, and while many sea turtles have not been observed, turtles produce sounds when they want to express their emotions.

Humans can cry out or lament, but these creatures have their own way of showing their feelings through certain gestures and sounds. Many times, the sound produced goes unnoticed because they do not have loud sounds.

The turtles produce low-frequency sounds that can only be heard in a calm environment and if the owner takes keen observation of the sounds produced. To hear the sound, you must be alert and observant rather than simply waiting for it to be heard from a distance.

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