31 Examples of Animals that make Hissing Sounds (A to Z List with Pictures)

Examples of Animals that make Hissing Sounds

Examples of animals that make hissing sounds include geese, snakes, alligators, bobcats, lions, and tigers.

There are many animals that make a hissing sound. The hiss is used as a form of communication, defense, and self-defense.

It’s also used to scare off predators and prey alike. Take the snake for example – it uses its hiss to warn other animals of its presence before striking them with venomous fangs.

Examples of Animals that make Hissing Sounds

1. African Geese

Scientific NameAnser anser domesticus
Type of AnimalBird
Rangesub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar
DietHerbivore

African Geese use their hiss as a warning to predators. If they feel threatened, they will start honking and hissing until the danger goes away.

2. African Rock Python

Scientific NamePython sebae
Type of AnimalReptile
Rangesub-Saharan Africa
DietCarnivore

The African Rock Python is a large, non-venomous snake that can be found throughout Africa. This python uses its hiss to communicate with other snakes, as well as intimidate predators and prey.

3. Alligator

Scientific NameAlligator
Type of AnimalReptile
RangeThe United States
DietCarnivore

The alligator is also one of the animals that makes a hissing sound. They are very territorial, so they will often use their hiss to scare off other animals that might try to encroach on their space.

4. Ball Python

Scientific NamePython regius
Type of AnimalReptile
RangeSub Saharan Africa
DietCarnivore

The ball python is a non-venomous snake that inhabits Africa, Asia, and North America. This particular species of python is known for its ability to curl up into a tight ball when threatened.

Ball pythons can reach lengths of up to six feet but are typically smaller than that. They have smooth scales and rely on their camouflage to avoid detection.

Ball pythons are usually a light brown or tan color, but can also be black, green, or white.

5. Black Swan

Scientific NameCygnus atratus
Type of AnimalBird
RangeAustralia
DietOmnivore

The black swan is a large, black water bird that lives in wetlands and other aquatic habitats. They are known for their beautiful plumage and for making a loud hissing sound when they’re alarmed or threatened.

The black swan’s hiss is so loud, it can be heard up to half a mile away

6. Bobcat

Scientific NameLynx rufus
Type of AnimalMammal
RangeCanada, down through the USA to northern Mexico
DietCarnivore

7The bobcat is a North American predator that can be found in many different habitats, including forests, deserts, and swamps.

This cat has both short fur and long hair, which helps it to adapt to different climates. Bobcats are known for their distinct “mew” call, as well as their ability to make a hissing sound.

They can also be found making a “spitting” sound when agitated and growling in order to defend themselves from other predators or hunters.

7. Borneo Python

Scientific NamePython breitensteini
Type of AnimalReptile
RangeBrunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia
DietCarnivore

There are many animals that make a hissing sound. The hiss is used as a form of communication, defense, and self-defense.

It’s also used to scare off predators and prey alike. Take the snake for example – it uses its hiss to warn other animals of its presence before striking them.

8. Burmese Python

Scientific NamePython bivittatus
Type of AnimalReptile
RangeAsia
DietCarnivore

The Burmese Python is a large, non-venomous snake found in Southeast Asia. This python can grow up to 23 feet long and weigh 200 pounds.

Despite its size, the Burmese Python is shy and docile and rarely strikes humans. However, if threatened, this python will hiss loudly to scare off predators.

9. Cats

Scientific NameFelis catus
Type of AnimalMammal
RangeWolrdwide
DietCarnivore

Cats will often hiss when they’re angry or scared. This noise is usually accompanied by a furrowed brow and outstretched claws. The sound can be quite intimidating, but it’s just a way for the cat to communicate its feelings.

10. Cheetah

Scientific NameAcinonyx jubatus
Type of AnimalMammal
RangeAfrica
DietCarnivore

The cheetah is a carnivorous mammal. It makes hissing sounds when it’s in an aggressive state or when they feel threatened by other animals.

11. Chinese Goose

Scientific NameAnser cygnoides
Type of AnimalBird
Rangeinland Mongolia, northernmost China, and the Russian Far East
DietOmnivore

The Chinese Goose is a non-migratory goose breed that originates from China. They make a hissing sound when threatened, and they can be easily domesticated if handled with the proper care.

The most common diseases associated with these geese are tuberculosis and avian influenza.

12. Cobra

Scientific NameNaja naja
Type of AnimalReptile
Rangesouthern Africa through southern Asia
DietCarnivore

The cobra is a venomous snake found in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. It’s known for its trademark hissing sound that it makes when it feels threatened.

The noise is created by exhaling air through the nostrils while simultaneously flaring out the Cobra’s hood.

13. Cockroach

Scientific NameBlattodea
Type of AnimalInsect
RangeWorldwide
DietOmnivore

The cockroach emits a high-pitched warning noise through its spiracles, using muscles that surround its body cavity. The hiss is produced at a volume of 80 decibels, which may be audible to the human ear.

14. Coscoroba Swan

Scientific NameCoscoroba coscoroba
Type of AnimalBird
Rangesouthern Chile and central Argentina
DietOmnivore

The Coscoroba Swan is a small white swan that lives in South America. It’s the only species of a swan that can fly and dive underwater.

What makes this swan unique, however, is its ability to hiss.

15. Cougar

Scientific NamePuma concolor
Type of AnimalMammal
RangeCanada south to Patagonia
DietCarnivore

The cougar is another animal that uses its hiss to communicate with other animals. It’s most common when the mother is around her cubs, though it can also be used in territorial disputes or during mating season.

16. Crocodile

Scientific NameCrocodylidae
Type of AnimalReptile
RangeAfrica South of the Sahara, Madagascar, India
DietCarnivore

The crocodile is a fearsome animal that can be found in many parts of the world. These animals are known for their hissing sound, which they use to communicate with each other and intimidate predators and prey.

17. Jaguars

Scientific NamePanthera onca
Type of AnimalMammal
RangeAmazon of South America
DietCarnivore

The jaguar is a large, feline predator that makes a deep-throated hiss when it feels threatened.

The sound can travel up to 200 feet in distance and warns other animals of its presence so they should stay away from the jaguar’s territory.

This warning also prevents prey from being close enough for the jaguar to attack.

18. Leopards

Scientific NamePanthera pardus
Type of AnimalMammal
Rangesouthern Africa
DietCarnivore

Leopards hiss when they’re angry or threatened. And even cats will sometimes hiss when they feel like they’re in danger.

19. Lions

Scientific NamePanthera leo
Type of AnimalMammal
Rangesouthern Africa
DietCarnivore

Lions hiss to communicate with each other, usually when they are about to attack their prey. They will also hiss at humans who get too close to them.

20. Mountain Lion

Scientific NamePuma concolor
Type of AnimalMammal
RangeUnited States
DietCarnivore

The mountain lion makes a hissing sound when it is hungry or hunting prey. It may also make this noise to scare off other animals that are in its territory.

The puma will do anything to avoid danger, so it uses the hiss as an animal deterrent before fleeing and protecting itself from harm’s way.

21. Opossum

Scientific NameDidelphidae
Type of AnimalMammal
Rangethe United States, Mexico, Central America, South America, and Canada
DietOmnivore

Opossum hisses when it’s threatened. If an opossum feels threatened, it may hiss and bare its teeth as a warning to the attacker.

22. Ostriches

Scientific NameStruthio camelus
Type of AnimalBird
RangeAfrica
DietHerbivore

Ostriches also use a hiss as part of their defense mechanism. When threatened, they will puff out their feathers and hiss at the attacker in an attempt to scare them away.

23. Pilgrim Goose

Scientific NameAnser anser
Type of AnimalBird
RangeUK, America, Australia
DietOmnivore

The Pilgrim Goose is a large North American bird that makes a hissing sound when it’s threatened or angry.

The noise comes from the goose’s esophagus, and it can be quite loud. When two geese are fighting, they will often hiss at each other as a way of asserting dominance.

24. Possum

Scientific NameDidelphidae
Type of AnimalMammal
RangeUnited States, Mexico, Central America, South America and Canada
DietOmnivore

The possum is a small, nocturnal marsupial that can be found in North and South America. It’s known for its ability to play dead when it feels threatened.

Possums also make a hissing sound as part of their defense mechanism.

25. Rabbit

Scientific NameOryctolagus cuniculus
Type of AnimalMammal
RangeWorldwide
DietHerbivore

The rabbit is known for its high-pitched alarm call, which sounds a lot like a hiss. This sound is used to warn other rabbits of danger and can also be heard by predators lurking in the area.

When threatened, the rabbit will also stamp its feet and thump its tail against the ground to make itself look bigger and more intimidating.

26. Raccoon

Scientific NameProcyon lotor
Type of AnimalMammal
RangeNorth America
DietOmnivore

The raccoon is a nocturnal mammal that lives in North America. It’s known for its black mask-like markings around its eyes and bushy tail.

Raccoons are scavengers and will eat just about anything – from insects to fruits and vegetables. They also like to rummage through trash cans for food.

27. Rook

Scientific NameCorvus frugilegus
Type of AnimalBird
Rangethe Palearctic
DietCarnivore

Rook birds also use a hissing sound as part of their territorial defense. They will fly into the air and make a loud, shrill noise to scare away other birds that might be trying to take over their nesting territory.

28. Snowy Owl

Scientific NameBubo scandiacus
Type of AnimalBird
RangeNorth Pole
DietCarnivore

The snowy owl is a bird of prey native to Arctic regions in North America and Eurasia. The sound it makes varies depending on its age, size, health conditions, or level of excitement.

29. Spotted Owl

Scientific NameStrix occidentalis
Type of AnimalBird
Rangenorthwestern California, western Oregon
DietCarnivore

The spotted owl is a nocturnal bird that inhabits the forests of North America. It’s known for its distinctive hooting call, which can be heard during the night hours.

The owl also makes a hissing sound when it’s threatened or agitated. This usually happens when a predator or potential threat is near.

30. Spiders

Scientific NameAraneae
Type of AnimalInsect
RangeWorldwide
DietCarnivore

Spiders also use their hissing noise to ward off predators. When threatened, a spider will curl up its legs, raise its body off the ground, and vibrate its web.

This creates an intimidating hissing noise that usually scares away potential threats.

31. Tigers

Scientific NamePanthera tigris
Type of AnimalMammal
RangeSouthwest Asia
DietCarnivore

Tigers also use their hiss as a warning to other animals. When tigers roar, they also sometimes give a little hiss at the end of it.

This is thought to be a way of warning any other tigers in the area that this tiger means business and isn’t afraid to fight.

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