Why Do Crickets Chirp?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hey there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Today's expedition is a big one. Why do crickets chirp?

The Big Idea

A chirp is a cricket song. Most of the night music you hear is a male, calling to a female, or warning other males away. Let's see how the song is made! Only the male crickets make the loud songs.

Night Falls

Step one: night falls. As the sun sets, calling time begins. The cricket climbs up and gets ready.

Wings Lift, File Meets Scraper

Step two: the wings lift, and the file meets the scraper. The cricket raises its wing covers, and one wing has a bumpy file, while the other has a scraper. Rubbing them is like dragging a comb along a comb. The song is made by the wings, not by the mouth.

Air Shakes

Step three: the air shakes, and an answer may come. The wing covers shake the air, and a chirp shoots into the grass. Another cricket hears the song, and may answer. You can even estimate the temperature by counting the chirps.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look at a cricket wing! The file is the bumpy edge. The scraper is the edge that rubs the file. The back leg is the big jumper. The wing cover is like a tiny drum. And the chirp is the sound that comes out. A cricket is like a tiny violin player.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! You hear males much more than females. A very hot night can sound like a faster chorus. Crickets hear with organs on their front legs, not with outer ears like yours. Safety first: enjoy the song, and do not keep a wild cricket in a jar for days.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, listen on a warm evening. Then listen on a cooler evening. Which night sounded faster? What was different about the air?

Outro

Now you know! Crickets sing by rubbing their wings. Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!