Do Turtles Make Sounds? | Types of Turtle Noises & What They Mean

If you’re like I was when I first brought home my turtle, you probably assumed turtles are silent little creatures—stoic and quiet. I mean, they’re not like dogs who bark for attention or cats that meow for food, right? But after spending months—no, years—with turtles, observing them in calm moments and during stress, I realized: turtles do make sounds. And those sounds can actually tell you a lot about what they’re feeling.

The catch? Most turtle sounds are subtle, low-volume, and sometimes hard for the human ear to catch—especially when you’re not looking for them. But they’re there.

Let’s explore what those sounds are, why turtles make them, and what to watch (or listen) for—because sometimes, a little hiss or squeak is more important than it seems.

Do Turtles Really Make Noise?

Yes, they do. But not in the way most people expect.

Turtles don’t have vocal cords like humans or birds. Instead, they produce sound by pushing air out through their glottis (a slit-like opening in their throat) or by manipulating airflow through their lungs, nostrils, or mouth. This can result in hissing, grunting, squeaking, or even chirping noises.

I’ve personally heard my red-eared slider emit soft chirps underwater and let out sharp hisses when startled. At first, I thought something was wrong—maybe an air bubble or an injury. But over time, I learned to tell the difference between stress sounds and normal behavior-based noises.

Why Don’t We Hear Turtle Sounds More Often?

Turtle sounds are very low in volume, often below the threshold of normal household background noise. Add to that the fact that:

Many turtles make these sounds underwater (which muffles them)
Most of us aren’t listening closely during key moments like basking, handling, or feeding
And a turtle’s natural instincts tell it to stay quiet to avoid predators

Even in the wild, researchers have found turtle sounds only by using special underwater microphones (called hydrophones) or by recording behavior in quiet, isolated environments.

In fact, some studies have revealed that sea turtles communicate with each other underwater using low-frequency pulses. These are almost completely inaudible to humans—but to another turtle, they might be a warning or a way to signal readiness to mate.

Why Do Turtles Make Sounds?

Here’s where things get fascinating—and practical for turtle owners. Sound is one of the ways turtles react to their surroundings, just like movement or posture. While turtles aren’t “talkers” in the emotional sense, they use sound for very clear reasons:

1. To Express Fear or Defensiveness

This is the most common sound new turtle owners hear. A startled turtle will often release a short, sharp hiss—especially when you reach into the tank or pick it up suddenly.

Why does this happen?
That hiss is the sound of air being rapidly expelled from their lungs as they pull their head and limbs back into their shell. It’s not aggression. It’s reflex. I’ve seen this happen dozens of times—especially when cleaning the tank or when they’re basking and not expecting company.

2. To Signal Mating Readiness

Male turtles, especially aquatic ones like sliders and softshells, have been observed making low-volume chirps or clicks during courtship. This sound often happens during underwater “dancing” displays—where the male flutters his claws near the female’s face and circles her.

Interesting fact:
In a 2014 acoustic study of aquatic turtles, researchers recorded pulsing sounds and short squeaks emitted by males during breeding season—some of which were species-specific.

3. To React to Stress or Illness

Turtles can also make unusual breathing sounds when they’re sick or their environment is unsuitable. A turtle with a respiratory infection may produce:

Wheezing or rasping
Clicking sounds while breathing
Exaggerated gasping
Frequent yawning with noise

In these cases, the sound is usually accompanied by other warning signs—like bubbling at the nose, mouth-gaping, lethargy, or a tilted swimming posture.

When I heard my turtle “squeak” repeatedly while swimming—and noticed he was basking more than usual—it turned out he had a mild upper respiratory infection. With vet guidance, proper tank heating, and antibiotic treatment, he made a full recovery. But that noise was the first sign.

What Types of Sounds Do Turtles Make?

Turtle sounds aren’t like the loud, expressive noises of parrots or dogs—but they’re still quite varied depending on the species, situation, and environment. Here’s a breakdown of the different sounds I’ve heard or researched, along with what they typically mean.

1. Hissing

What it sounds like:
A sharp exhale or puff of air—similar to the hiss of a cat, but softer and shorter.

When it happens:

During handling
When startled
If they feel threatened

What it means:
This is a defensive reaction, not aggression. It’s just the sound of them rapidly pulling into their shell. If your turtle hisses when you approach, it’s likely still getting used to your presence.

2. Grunting or Squeaking

What it sounds like:
Soft, nasal grunts or brief, high-pitched squeaks. Sometimes repeated, especially during interaction.

When it happens:

During mating or courtship
Occasionally when moving or climbing
Sometimes when handled

What it means:
In many cases, it’s normal communication, especially among males during breeding displays. However, persistent squeaking—especially when breathing—can signal discomfort or illness.

3. Clicking or Wheezing

What it sounds like:
Clicks from the throat, or raspy, wet-sounding breaths.

When it happens:

While basking or after swimming
During stressful events
When respiratory infection is present

What it means:
This is often a sign of respiratory distress. I once ignored clicking for a couple of days, thinking it was nothing—but it turned out my turtle had early-stage pneumonia. The earlier you catch it, the better the outcome.

4. Chirping or Whining

What it sounds like:
Tiny, bird-like chirps or quiet whines—usually faint and difficult to hear without a quiet room.

When it happens:

During breeding season (mostly underwater)
Occasionally in new environments

What it means:
These are believed to be low-frequency social or courtship sounds, though not all turtles make them. Some softshell species and aquatic turtles like the red-eared slider and cooter are more likely to vocalize this way.

Do All Turtles Make Sounds?

Not equally. In my experience—and based on studies—some species are much more vocal than others.

More Vocal Species:

Red-eared sliders – Known for hissing, grunting, and rare underwater chirps
Softshell turtles – Sometimes emit squeaks or clicking during breathing
Snapping turtles – Can hiss loudly when provoked or handled
Box turtles – May grunt or exhale loudly when picked up or turned

Less Vocal Species:

Musk turtles – Generally quiet, though they may hiss under stress
Painted turtles – Rarely vocal, but may squeak subtly underwater
Map turtles – Tend to be silent and shy

The frequency and type of sound depend heavily on your turtle’s environment, age, and stress level. A calm, healthy turtle in a stable tank may make very few noticeable sounds at all.

When Should Turtle Sounds Be a Concern?

While many turtle sounds are natural and harmless, there are times when a noise might signal that something’s wrong—especially when it’s paired with changes in behavior or appearance.

Here’s how I personally gauge whether a sound is normal or a red flag:

🚩 Warning Signs to Watch With Turtle Sounds:

Clicking, wheezing, or gasping sounds while breathing
Mouth constantly open when not eating
Bubbles from the nose or mouth
Whining or squeaking combined with lethargy
Excessive basking, loss of appetite, or unbalanced swimming

These symptoms usually point to respiratory infections, which are more common than most turtle owners realize—especially in tanks with poor water quality or incorrect temperatures.

If your turtle makes unusual sounds and shows any of the above signs, you should:

Check the water temperature (should be 75–80°F for most species)
Ensure the basking area is warm and dry (85–95°F)
Observe for nasal discharge or eye swelling
Call a reptile vet to rule out pneumonia or upper respiratory infection

I once caught a mild case early just because I noticed a subtle click when my turtle surfaced to breathe. It paid off—treatment was simple and recovery was quick.

FAQs

1. Can turtles vocalize to bond with owners?

Not exactly. Turtles don’t vocalize for affection like dogs or cats. Most sounds they make are reflexive, instinctive, or related to stress, mating, or health—not emotional connection.

That said, they do recognize familiar people and routines. I’ve seen my turtle respond to my presence by becoming more active—but not through sound.

2. Can I train my turtle to make sounds?

No, turtles don’t have voluntary control over their sounds like parrots do. You can’t teach them to chirp on command or respond to cues with vocalization. But you can observe and interpret the natural sounds they do make.

3. Should I be concerned if my turtle is completely silent?

Not at all. Many healthy turtles rarely or never make audible sounds. Silence is not a sign of illness unless it’s paired with other worrying behaviors like inactivity, loss of appetite, or visible breathing problems.

Final Words

Turtles may not be the most vocal pets—but that doesn’t mean they’re silent or emotionless. Over time, I’ve learned that those subtle hisses, occasional chirps, and rare squeaks are their way of communicating something—whether it’s “leave me alone,” “I’m excited,” or “something’s not right.”

By paying attention to these sounds and learning to pair them with other behaviors, you’ll become a better turtle owner—and your shelled friend will benefit from your awareness.

So yes, turtles do make sounds. And if you listen closely, those quiet moments might just help you understand your turtle better than ever before.