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Why do crocodile hatchlings make squeaking sounds before they emerge?

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Illustration of an estuarine or saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) with its mouth open, showing scaly skin and powerful limbs, alongside a scale bar for size reference. — crocodile Estuarine, or saltwater, crocodile (*Crocodylus porosus*), found in brackish waters from Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar east to the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu and south to Australia.

Crocodile hatchlings make squeaking or chirping sounds while still inside their eggs to signal to the adult female that they are ready to emerge. This vocalization serves as a vital cue, prompting the mother to uncover the nest and assist the hatchlings in their transition to the water.12