What Sounds Do Snakes Make?

When people think of the sound that a snake makes, they commonly think of hissing. In addition to hissing, snakes are also known to growl and spit in certain situations, according to Bruce Young, assistant biology professor at Lafayette College.

A snake can also make a growling sound as a way to warn predators entering their space. They also spit, which is most commonly attributed to cobras. Even more surprising, the Sonoran coral snake can make a sound like a quacking duck by expelling air through its digestive tract.

While snakes can make these versatile sounds, scientists are perplexed as to how they produce these sounds. They are unsure whether these sounds are produced as a defensive mechanism or not.