Sounds and Vocalization of the Female Koalas

Despite being very calm and quiet in the forest, the female koalas do make some sounds and vocalizations as part of their lifestyle activities. In fact; it is their rarest way of communicating with other koalas, joeys and dominant males within their territory. These sounds and vocalization of the female koalas vary according to various situations and scenarios.

Female koalas are usually quite but they are capable of creating certain sounds and vocalization. These sounds and vocalizations are dependent upon various situations and scenarios.

Furthermore; female koalas’ vocalizations can also be differentiated from the vocalization of the male koalas because their (females) vocalizations are usually lower-pitched. So far; the female koalas have been witnessed to vocalize like snarling, bellowing, grunting, screaming and even wailing as well. This article tends to sift through different situation in which the female koalas create key vocalization and elaborate secrets behind such vocalization.

Female Koalas do Make
Sounds & Vocalizations Sounds & Vocalizations of Female Koalas
Vary According to Situation Female Koalas have Different
Vocalizations than Male Koalas Female Koalas Vocalize as
Snarling, Bellowing, Grunting & Screaming

Female koalas' sounds and vocalization.
Female koalas create various vocalizations according to different situations. Each sound and vocalization from female koala has specific mean. Photo courtesy of 

The vocalizations of the female koalas are mostly common and even dominant during the mating season of koalas. Even though the male koalas initiate the loudest vocalization during the mating season but female koalas are very receptive to such vocalization and respond accordingly (though not with loudest vocalization). According to the koala observers, the female koalas create a low-pitched snarled and bellowing voice upon hearing the loud vocalization of the male koalas.

During the mating season, the female koalas create a low-pitched snarled and bellowing vocalization. Their vocalization gets louder, when the male koalas start approaching the female koalas for mating.

The snarling and bellowing vocalization of the female koalas increases as the male koalas approaches near the female koalas for mating. During the mating season, the female koalas are also known to create a very loud wailing sound, when they are harassed by the male koalas and they don’t want to mate.

Female Koalas Vocalize
During the Mating Season Mostly Female Koalas are Receptive
To the Vocalization of Male Koalas Female Koalas' Vocalization in Mating Season
Low-Pitched, Snarled & Bellowing-Like Female Koalas' Vocalize Loudly
When Male Koalas Approach for Mating

Female koalas mostly vocalize during the mating season.
Female koalas are usually known to vocalize during the mating season. Female koalas are receptive to the loud vocalization of the male koalas and they vocalize accordingly. Photo courtesy of 

On the other hand; the female koalas are also known to create an aggressive vocalization against their grown-up joeys during the weaning process. Since; koalas prefer to live a solitary life, therefore such vocalizations from the female koalas are very common during the time of weaning. The message within these aggressive vocalizations is clear for joeys i.e., leave and establish your own territory.

The female koalas are known to make aggressive vocalization towards their grown-up joeys. The message in such vocalizations is clear i.e., leave the area and live on your own in another territory.

However; when the koala joeys are very little and they are dependent on their mother, they are known to make soft clicking and gentle murmuring as well. The female koalas are very caring for their joeys and if a joey makes a squeaking sound, they quickly respond and go near them to have them cling on their back or inside their pouch.

Female Koalas Aggressively Vocalize
To the Grown-up Koala Joeys Females' Message in Aggression is
To Let Joey Know to Leave her Territory

Female koalas vocalize aggressively towards the adult or grown-up joeys.
Female koalas vocalize very aggressively towards the grown-up joeys. The message of this aggression is clear that the mother koala wants her joey to leave and live a solitary life. Photo courtesy of 

In another scenario, the female koalas may also make a loud grunting voice when they feel threatened or being attacked. Koalas feel threatened when their predators such as dingoes, eagles, eagles, owls and dogs are around their tree or within their territory.

Loud grunting vocalizations from the female koalas are very common when they sight a predator within their territory. The female koalas grunt loudly to scare their predator or to alert other koalas.

The female koalas with their young ones are the ones that are worried the most and apart from loud grunting, they may go at any length to expel predators from their territory. Such vocalizations usually alert other koalas within the territory, or let the predators know that they have been busted. Furthermore; it can be the part of a deliberate tactic at the female koalas’ end to scare their predators.

Female Koalas Vocalize Loudly
When Felt Threatened or Scared Female Koalas Grunt Loudly
When they See Preadtor in their Territory Female Koalas Grunt
To Scare a Predator

Female koalas vocalize with loud grunting upon seeing a predator within the area.
Female koalas vocalize loudly in the form of loud grunting when they see the presence of some predator in their territory. Photo courtesy of 

As compared to the male koalas, the female koalas are considered less vocalized. Usually the female koalas have the lower-pitched vocalization as compared to the male koalas. Their vocalization is classified as an eerie sound or a scream. Male koalas are highly territorial and loud vocalization is one their key tools to let other know about their dominance within the area.

Female koalas are considered less vocalized as compared to the male koalas. The male koalas keep the high profile within the territory while females keep the lower profile.

Male koalas make loud vocalizations during the breeding season to advertise their presence to the female koalas. On the other hand; the female koalas are also territorial but they are seldom seen fighting for the territory. Furthermore; the female koalas tend to keep a low profile within their territory and that’s why they are considered less vocalized as compared the male koalas.

Female Koalas are More Vocalized
As Compared to Male Koalas Female Koalas' Vocalization is
Lower Pitched Male Koalas Make Loud Vocalization
During the Breeding Season Vocalization Helps Male Koalas
To Dominate their Territories

Female koalas are lesser vocalized as compared to the male koalas.
Female koalas are usually quiet and are therefore lesser vocalized as compared to the male koalas. Photo courtesy of 

Lastly; after the breeding season one may hardly hear a female koala making any vocalization at all. If a female koala doesn’t have a baby in its pouch, it may not vocalize at all unless she is in some kind of a distress. This should be considered normal because koalas are classified as the solitary animals and they spend more than 93 percent of their time alone on their own and in calm.

Female koalas may not vocalize at all during the non-breeding seasons. They tend to spend their time on their own eating leaves and sleeping for more than 20 hours per day.

Furthermore; koalas have to sleep more than 20 hours per day to keep their metabolism at an extremely lower pace. Therefore; during the non-breeding season a female koala may not be heard vocalizing at all.

Female Koalas may not Vocalize
In the Absence of Breeding Season Koalas Including Female Koalas
Love to Sleep You May Find Koalas as
Very Quiet Animal in Forest

Female koalas may not vocalize at all during the non-breeding season.
During the non-breeding season, the female koalas may not vocalize at all. Photo courtesy of