When you picture the African savannah, you probably think of roaring lions, trumpeting elephants, cackling hyenas, and the constant cadence of cicadas; not giraffe noises.
But giraffes aren’t silent. These towering animals do make sounds; they’re just much quieter and easier to miss. From low humming at night to soft grunts, snorts, coughs, hisses, and even calf bleats, giraffe sounds are understated but fascinating.
Let’s take a closer listen to how giraffes communicate, why you might not hear them unless you’re paying attention, and what to listen for when you meet one up close at Wild Florida.
What Sounds Does A Giraffe Actually Make?
Giraffe sounds can range from snorts, grunts, coughs, hisses, bleats, and moos, to a special midnight humming sound. Often these creatures communicate with a combination of subtle sounds and visual cues.
Do Giraffes Make Noise or Are They Silent?
It’s a common myth that giraffes don’t make any noise at all. With their calm nature and quiet presence, it’s easy to see why people assume they’re completely silent.
But that’s not the full story. Giraffes do make sounds, just not the kind that carry across the savannah. Their vocalizations tend to be low and gentle, especially compared to the many louder animals all around them.
Common Giraffe Sounds and What They Mean
Giraffes might keep things quiet, but they still have plenty to say. The sounds they make often come from quick bursts of air or low, rumbling vibrations, and each one plays a purpose.
|
Sound |
Purpose |
Behavior |
|
Snorts & Grunts |
Communicates alarm or danger, or simply as a reaction to their environment |
Paired with stamping of their feet |
|
Hissing |
A sign of aggression, used during territorial or mating disputes |
Paired with male-male fights where they swing their necks at each other |
|
Bleats & Moos |
Used to communicate between mother & offspring, often to find each other |
Calls can be heard from up to a mile away |
These aren’t the only sounds that giraffes make however. Their most distinct sound is a nighttime hum. What’s the story behind this kind of dialogue? That one’s a bit more complicated.
Why Do Giraffes Hum at Night?
The most signature sound of giraffes is what’s known as their midnight hum: a low drone carried across the savannah used to communicate with their fellow long-necked friends. What kinds of things do these hums communicate? That’s where scientists are stuck.
In a 2015 study, researchers recorded hundreds of hours of giraffe sounds and noticed something surprising: these humming noises only showed up at night. Even more interesting, they weren’t completely out of human range like scientists once believed. Instead, these giraffe sounds averaged around 92 hertz: deep, low tones that feel more like a soft vibration than a typical animal call.
What scientists discovered about giraffe humming:
- Happens primarily at night
- Recorded at low frequencies (~92 Hz)
- Not fully infrasonic (aka it’s partially audible)
- Likely used for communication in low visibility
So what are they saying? No one knows for sure. Some researchers believe this giraffe noise helps them stay connected when it’s dark, almost like a quiet “I’m here!” between members of the herd. Others think it may be closer to sleep-talking, gentle sounds made while resting.
Either way, it’s a reminder that giraffe communication doesn’t need to be loud to be meaningful… which might explain why these animals seem so quiet in the first place.
Why Are Giraffes So Quiet Compared to Other Animals?
Giraffes aren’t quiet because they don’t have anything to say; it mostly comes down to how they’re built, especially with those long, towering necks.
Giraffes do have a voice box, so they are capable of making sounds. But with smaller lungs and a narrow trachea, it takes a lot more effort to push enough air through to create strong vocalizations. On top of that, that airflow has to travel up a neck that can stretch 6 to 7 feet, which makes producing louder sounds even more challenging.
Put it all together, and vocalizing just isn’t the easiest or most efficient option. Instead, giraffes have found other ways to communicate.
How Do Giraffes Communicate Without Loud Sounds?
So if giraffes aren’t the most talkative bunch on the savannah, how do they communicate with the herd? These gentle giants are fluent in the art of visual communication. They use various forms of body language to signal different types of messages or moods to their friends, so that no one is left in the dark.
|
Visual Cue |
Meaning(s) |
|
Prolonged Stares |
|
|
Neck Rubbing/Resting |
|
|
Necking |
|
|
Ears Pinned Back |
|
|
Tail Flicking |
|
Can Humans Hear a Giraffe Sound in Real Life?
It’s possible, but not something you’ll hear all the time. Most giraffe sounds are so low or quiet that they don’t carry far, and some fall right on the edge of what humans can pick up.
When you do hear a giraffe, it usually happens in the right setting, somewhere you can observe them up close and at ease, like Wild Florida. Even then, it’s not a constant soundtrack.
The sounds guests are most likely to notice are soft bleats or low, gentle calls between a mother and her calf. They’re quick, easy to miss, and part of what makes hearing them feel so special when it happens.
What Does a Giraffe Sound Like Up Close?
If you’ve ever been to the Giraffe Platform at Wild Florida, you’ve probably met Leroy and encountered his playful nature as he steals snacks right out of your hands with his long, curious tongue. He doesn’t always chat with guests, but when he does, it’s an exciting experience, consisting of short snorts and low grunts or bleats. It’s his way of saying hello!
Meet Leroy for yourself at Wild Florida Adventure Park!
Giraffe Sounds FAQs
Do giraffes make noise?
Giraffes aren’t big on making a scene, but yes, they do make noise. Most giraffe sounds come from quick bursts of air or low, rumbling vibrations, which means you might hear snorts, grunts, bleats, or even their signature nighttime hum.
Are giraffes silent animals?
It might seem like giraffes are silent, especially since they’re so calm most of the time. But they do make a variety of sounds, just not very often. Instead, these gentle giants rely more on body language and visual cues, saving their voices for moments when it really counts.
Can giraffes hum?
Yes, they can, and it’s one of the most interesting giraffe sounds out there. Giraffes are known to hum at night, producing low-frequency sounds around 92 hertz. These soft, steady vibrations are thought to help them stay connected with each other when it’s dark and harder to rely on visual cues.
Why do giraffes make noise at night?
The main giraffe noise you’ll hear at night is their low, steady hum. Scientists are still figuring out exactly why they do it, but one leading idea is that it helps them stay in touch with the herd when visibility is low. Another theory suggests it could be a form of sleep-talking: quiet sounds made while resting.
Do giraffes have vocal cords?
They do. Giraffes have both vocal cords and a voice box, but their unique anatomy makes using them a bit of a challenge. With smaller lungs and a long, narrow airway, it takes more effort to produce strong sounds, so they tend to rely on other ways to communicate instead.
What does a giraffe sound like?
When giraffes do make noise, it’s usually soft and easy to miss. Their sounds range from short snorts and low grunts to gentle bleats and deep humming vibrations. It’s not loud or dramatic, but hearing it in person is something you don’t forget.
