Why do squirrels cry?

Baby squirrels typically call for their mother by making shrill cries when they are alarmed or hungry. These sounds are high-pitched and help the mother attend to its offspring.

Squirrels make a variety of vocal noises. They use vocal sounds to make warning calls, communicate with one another and attract mates. Some of these complex calls are used to alert other squirrels to potential predators. The vocalizations take the form of high-pitched screams and can vary from "kuk" to "quaa" noises. A male squirrel attracts a mate by using a mating call, and it courts a female squirrel by uttering tender "muk-muk" sounds.