Wombat Vocalizations
Wombats are generally quiet animals.
Bare-nosed wombats can make a number of different sounds, more than the Hairy-nosed wombats.
Wombats tend to be more vocal during mating season. When angered, they can make hissing sounds. Their call sounds somewhat like a pig's squeal. They can also make grunting noises, a low growl, a hoarse cough, and a clicking noise.
Wombats can make sounds when angered or threatened (picture courtesy of Womland)
A growling noise is made when adults confront each other. Females in heat may make calls when males pursue them. Wombats can also make noises when they're alarmed, or as a warning to other animals that they're angry.
Mothers and infants communicate with short hissing sounds. This has been described as a "huh" or "hhhmmpph" sound.
When sleeping, wombats will sometimes snore.
To hear a wombat, you can watch the one minute video of a cranky wombat on Vimeo, or the 35 second video of an angry wombat growling on YouTube.
by Peter Marinacci
