Book 4, Question 116
Why Do Frogs Croak After Rain? The Pond Chorus
Rain makes travel and breeding easier for frogs. Wet ground does not dry out their skin, and puddles and ponds fill up. Many male frogs call to say, I am here, and to attract a mate.
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 4
More fun facts
- Male frogs' calls tell females how good a mate they might be.
- Many frogs puff out a vocal sac to make their calls louder.
- Only about half of frog species call with one round bubble under the mouth. Others have two sacs that look like balloon ears.
- Scientists studied 4,358 kinds of frogs and toads and found 20 basic kinds of vocal sacs.
- Pig frogs are named for their low grunt, which sounds like a pig's oink.
Sources: Science News Explores, National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine
Questions kids ask
Do female frogs croak?
Mostly it is the males that call. Females listen and choose a mate.