What Does a Giraffe Sound Like? Unveiling the Noise of Giraffe

Last Updated: February 27, 2025

Tweet

Ever wondered, "What does a giraffe sound like?" Most people assume giraffes are silent creatures and don’t make any noises, but are they really? Giraffes, known for their towering height and graceful manners, are often considered quiet animals. However, they do produce vocalizations, just not in ways you’d expect!

From low-frequency hums to quiet snorts, giraffes have a unique way of expressing themselves. Hence, in this article, you’ll explore the different giraffe sounds, why they make them, and how you can listen for yourself. Prepare to be surprised by the fascinating world of giraffe communication.

Do Giraffes Make Noise?

Contrary to popular belief, giraffes make noise, but their vocalizations are often too low for human ears to detect. Their long necks produce low-frequency sounds that travel long distances, especially at night.

What Does a Giraffe Sound Like? (Listen for Yourself!)

Curious to hear their unique vocalizations? Listen to the clip below.

If you’re curious to learn more, visit a local zoo or wildlife sanctuary, as you might just hear a giraffe hum or grunt for yourself.

What Sounds Does a Giraffe Make?

Giraffes produce several unique sounds, each serving a specific purpose in their social lives. They are:

1. Humming
2. Snorting
3. Grunt
4. Bleats and Mooing
5. Hissing

1. Humming

Giraffes hum at night, producing low-frequency rhythmic sounds. These nighttime hums help them stay connected when it’s too dark to see each other. Scientists believe this sound helps keep the group together, maintaining a sense of unity even in the darkness.

2. Snorting

Giraffes snort by making a quick, sharp exhale when they sense danger. This sound is a warning signal, letting others know a predator might be nearby. By snorting, giraffes help the whole group stay on guard, keeping everyone aware of potential threats around them.

3. Grunting

Giraffes grunt, especially when interacting up close. Males often grunt during contests or when competing for resources to show dominance or intent. Females also use grunts to communicate with their calves or to make their presence known to other adults.

4. Bleating and Mooing

Mother giraffes and their calves communicate through gentle bleats and moos. This gentle call is usually meant for their mothers. It helps mother giraffes stay connected with their young, especially in crowded or unfamiliar places. The mooing sound of baby giraffes helps strengthen their bond and keeps them close, no matter what’s happening around them.

Hissing

Rare, but one of the surprising sounds giraffes make is a hiss. They use this soft, subtle noise when they feel threatened or stressed. It’s not as loud or dramatic as the vocalizations of other animals, but it gets the message across. By hissing, giraffes can show their discomfort or set boundaries quietly yet effectively, helping them navigate social interactions without making a scene.

Why Do Giraffes Make These Sounds?

The reasons behind these sounds are as fascinating as the noises themselves:

1. Communication and Bonding - Humming at night helps giraffes stay connected.
2. Mating and Dominance - Males grunt and snort to assert dominance or attract mates.
3. Warning System - Snorting alerts the herd to potential dangers, such as predators.
4. Maternal Connection - Moos and bleats maintain the bond between mother and calf.

How Researchers Discovered Giraffe Sounds?

For years, scientists struggled to study giraffe vocalizations, assuming they were nearly silent. Their low-frequency sounds are hard to detect—not quite infrasonic like elephants, but still hard to detect by a human.

That changed in 2015, when researchers captured harmonic humming around 92 Hz, mostly at night. This deep, rhythmic hum likely helps giraffes stay connected in the dark, challenging the myth of their silence.

Beyond humming, giraffes also snort, grunt, and produce short bursts of sound. Thanks to advanced recording tech and AI-powered analysis, researchers are now unraveling their surprisingly complex communication system.

 Beyond Sounds: How Giraffes Communicate Silently?

While giraffes do use vocalizations, they’re true masters of silent communication. Their towering necks aren’t just for show—they double as a visual language.

One of their most dramatic gestures is necking—a fierce yet elegant duel where males swing their necks like heavyweight contenders, battling for dominance. But it’s not all about competition. Giraffes also use body language to express their moods, from a simple tail flick signaling irritation to a deep, locked gaze that establishes trust or warns rivals.

These quiet cues complement their occasional vocalizations, creating a well-balanced communication system that keeps their herds connected and helps them navigate the vast, open savannas they call home.

Fun Facts About Giraffe Sounds

1. Giraffes produce low-frequency hums (~92 Hz) at night, likely to stay connected.
2. Baby “moos”: Calves bleat like tiny cows to call their mothers but lose this trait by adulthood.
3. Their hums travel far—not infrasonic, but still effective.
4. Thought to be mute, AI and advanced mics uncovered their sounds in 2015. 

Conclusion

Giraffes are silent creatures with a fascinating range of vocalizations, from hums at night to snorts and grunts during social interactions. These sounds help them stay connected, warn each other of danger, show aggression, and bond with their young.

So, next time someone asks you, “What does a giraffe sound like?” you’ll have the perfect answer. And don’t forget to share this article with fellow animal lovers who are just as curious about giraffe noise!

FAQs

What Noise Does a Giraffe Make?

Giraffes produce a range of sounds, including low-frequency hums, snorts, grunts, bleats, and hissing noises. These sounds help them communicate with each other, especially during the night or when they sense danger.

Do Giraffes Say Moo?

Yes, baby giraffes can make a mooing sound to communicate with their mothers, but adult giraffes do not moo. Instead, they use hums, grunts, and snorts to interact with their herd and express themselves.

How Do Giraffes Vocalize?

Giraffes vocalize using low-frequency sounds produced by their vocal cords. They hum at night to maintain group connections, snort to warn of danger, and grunt during social interactions. While the frequency (around 92 Hz) is within human hearing range, the sounds are often too quiet to notice.

Do Giraffes Have Vocal Cords?

Yes, giraffes have vocal cords, and they use them to create sounds like hums, grunts, and snorts. Although these sounds are within the human hearing range, their low volume and frequency make them challenging to detect in natural settings.