These could be signs that an opossum is scavenging there, and the “cooing” noises could mean a mother opossum has set up a nest for her babies. If you can’t find exactly where the sound is coming from or where the snake is, pause for a second and wait until you see movement so you don’t end up coming closer to the snake. In the case of one homeowner in Texas, he discovered a squirrel’s carcass on his back deck, and two nights later spotted a fox roaming the streets of his neighborhood. Foxes make a barking sound, but it’s more high-pitched than the bark of your average dog. Inspect for any other entryways for a small animal, and make sure they’re covered. If they feel threatened, they have also been known to attack humans. They growl, huff, bark, howl, yelp, whine, yodel and sometimes ‘sing’ in a group. Thank you for signing up to Live Science. The "scream" can also be used by males, and by females at other times, though. If you think you have a woodpecker problem, you can deter them by placing physical boundaries around your trees and home, including fencing and bird spikes. When they use this sound, it’s to warn predators to stay away. They are birds of prey, so they are particularly dangerous if you have a small pet like a Yorkie or raise chickens or ducks. Raccoons actually make chirping noises and squeaks that sound similar to birds, but raccoons do have a wide range of vocalizations that can also include growling, screeching, hissing and whining. Frogs do carry a lot of bacteria and parasites, like salmonella, so it’s best not to touch them. They’re eerie squeaks, fangs, and ability to fly fast make them seem like big threat should you stumble upon them. "If you follow an individual fox around at night, most nights the foxes won't make a call at all, or it'll be very soft," Harris said. Coyote howl sounds are common to hear since they’re usually loud, but they can mean a variety of things. If you hear woodpeckers, know that they aren’t harmful to people, but can be extremely devastating to homes and the wildlife surrounding them. In fact, in many cases they have become a nuisance. If you hear these distress sounds coming from a rabbit, they may be injured or afraid, but they won’t be dangerous to you. … Puppy barking serves many purposes. They use these calls to find mates, interact with rivals and communicate within their family groups. Finally, despite having a variety of vocalizations, foxes communicate even more with scents, and don't make noises that often. Therefore, if you hear an owl nearby, keep your distance, but go ahead and look. Mountain lion sightings most often occur during hiking or camping trips. If you happen to hear what might sound like a puppy barking in the middle of the night, there is a chance it could be coming from this little fella right here: Sugar gliders are nocturnal creatures and can make a variety of sounds; squeaky little barks being one of them. . Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), the most common foxes throughout the world, have a wide variety of vocalizations, with as many as 20 different calls depending on how one defines them, said Stephen Harris, a biologist at the University of Bristol, England, who has studied their vocalizations. Though a coyote is capable of a similar sound, a fox is more likely to sound like a woman screaming – causing a very frightening night if you happen to hear them. This type of call is usually a mother looking for her children while they’re out. The call is designed to travel long distances and summon suitors. They’re often called the ‘song dog’ because of the many sounds they make. These noises are also heard more and more frequently as forestland continues to develop into towns and neighborhoods. So, it’s a good idea, if you can, to just let them be. If you come across a dead animal or mountain lion cubs, keep moving and don’t linger. But why aren't fox calls better known? They are keen predators who tend to make their homes near human dwellings. and "fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow! In comparison, rats are larger with smaller ears and longer tails that are completely hairless. They’re small, usually slightly bigger than the size of a rat, and have a distinct bushy tail. Future US, Inc. 11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor, Raccoons are very identifiable with their cat-size body, dark circles around their eyes similar to a classic bandit, and small, human-like hands that they use to grip food. If you’re out hiking and hear this sound, stay away. Each dog sound below includes it's own audio player. 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