Why Do Crickets Chirp at Night
Crickets are insects related to grasshoppers and katydids. They have flat bodies, hind jumping legs and long antennas. There are over 900 species of crickets and they can be found throughout much of the world. Some species have been known to bite humans, but they are generally harmless. They are best known for the chirping sound that they make during the night. If you have ever wondered why a cricket does this, continue reading to find the answer.
Why do crickets chirp at night?
Many people believe that crickets chirp by rubbing their legs together. However, this is a common myth and they actually create the chirping sound by rubbing one wing along the other. The wings also aid in amplifying the sound. Crickets chirp during the night because they are nocturnal creatures. This means that they usually only active at night. Interestingly, only the male of the species chirps and there are actually four different types of chirping.
The first type of chirping attracts female crickets and warns other males to stay away. The second more quiet chirping occurs when a female comes close. The third type of chirping is used when a cricket detects another male in the area. The last kind of chirping occurs briefly after the cricket has successfully mated with a female.
Crickets chirp at different rates depending on the temperature. Amazingly, it is possible to calculate the temperature just by counting the chirps of certain species of crickets.
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