Book 32, Question 77
Why do baby crocodiles chirp before they hatch?
A baby crocodile makes high chirping sounds from inside its egg when it’s ready to hatch.
The mother crocodile, nearby, hears the chirps and digs open the nest. She may even gently crack eggs with her mouth to help. Without the chirp, the mom wouldn’t know when to help. It is a message that says, “I’m ready, come get me!”
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Quick answers
Why do baby crocodiles chirp before they hatch?
Vergne and Mathevon suggest that egg calls could be vitally important if the babies are to survive their first experiences outside the safety of the nest.
Source: National Geographic
More fun facts
- Eight of the ten females responded to playbacks of baby calls by digging, whereas only one did the same when she heard the noise.
- A female crocodile constructs a maximum of one nest per year and can nest as often as every year or every couple of years, depending upon her health and condition.
- Crocodiles dig holes 'testing' for the ideal spot to build their nest.
- Baby crocodiles take a while to develop into their fearsome adult forms, and in their early years, they are very vulnerable to predators.
Sources: National Geographic, University of Florida