Koala Sounds

What sound does a koala make?

Don't let the teddy-bear face fool you: male koalas make one of the most surprising sounds in nature — a deep, rumbling bellow that sounds like a cross between a snore and a motorbike. The bellow is far deeper than an animal this size should produce, thanks to a special extra pair of vocal folds.

Males bellow through the breeding season to attract females and warn off rivals, and the growling snore echoes through eucalyptus forests at night. Females and joeys are quieter, making soft squeaks, hums, and — when upset — a wailing cry.

About the Koala

Koalas are arboreal marsupial mammals native to Australia. Despite their bear-like appearance, they are not bears but are more closely related to wombats. Koalas are specialized feeders, with a diet consisting almost entirely of eucalyptus leaves, which are toxic to most animals. They have a specialized digestive system that detoxifies the eucalyptus oils. Koalas sleep for up to 20 hours a day, conserving energy to digest their low-nutrient diet. They have a distinctive nose with a leathery feel and no fur, which helps them assess the moisture content and toxicity of leaves. Koalas are mostly solitary animals and communicate through a range of vocalizations, particularly during mating season.

Koala questions

What sound does a koala make?

Male koalas bellow — an astonishingly deep snoring-grunting roar — to attract mates. Females and joeys squeak, hum, and can wail when distressed.

How can a small koala sound so deep?

Koalas have an extra pair of vocal folds outside the voice box, letting them produce sounds about 20 times deeper than expected for their size.