What causes the sound of a frog croaking?

Searched over 200M research papers

Summary

2 papers analyzed

These studies suggest frogs croak due to pain from injuries caused by rats.

Research summarized with Copilot

20 papers analyzed

Introduction

The sound of a frog croaking is a common auditory experience in many environments. Understanding the causes behind this sound involves examining both the biological mechanisms and the environmental factors that influence frog behavior.

Key Insights

Biological Mechanisms:
- Frogs croak primarily as a means of communication, especially during mating seasons to attract females and establish territory among males .
Environmental Factors:
- Environmental stressors such as predation can influence the frequency and intensity of croaking. For instance, frogs may croak in pain when injured by predators like rats, which attack and wound them.

Conclusion

The croaking of frogs is primarily driven by biological needs for communication, particularly during mating seasons. Environmental factors, such as predation, can also influence croaking behavior, causing frogs to croak in response to pain or distress.

Sources and full results

Most relevant research papers on this topic

DIFFERENT EFFECTS OF ROAD TRAFFIC NOISE AND FROGS' CROAKING ON NIGHT SLEEP

Road traffic noise significantly worsens the subjective quality of sleep compared to frogs' croaking, with increased s2 and decreased sREM.

4 Citations

2002

DOI

The Enemies of the Frog

Rats attack and suck the blood from common house-frogs, causing severe injuries and causing frogs to croak in pain.

1 Citations

1886

DOI

Auditory and vocal nuclei in the frog brain concentrate sex hormones.

South African clawed frogs' mate calling is controlled by androgens, with hormone concentration in auditory and vocal nuclei regulating vocal behavior and potentially explaining seasonal variations in behavioral responsiveness to conspecific vocalizations.

173 Citations

1980

DOI

Female frog reproductive behavior elicited in the absence of the ovaries

Female frogs can reproduce without ovaries, suggesting a role for ovarian hormones in reproductive behavior.

21 Citations

1978

DOI

Pathogenesis of Chytridiomycosis, a Cause of Catastrophic Amphibian Declines

Chytridiomycosis, the cause of global amphibian declines, causes death in green tree frogs by disrupting cutaneous function, leading to electrolyte transport inhibition and cardiac arrest.

591 Citations

2009

DOI

Response to Toads to Sound Stimuli

Frogs can hear one another, but their sense of hearing is limited and they rely primarily on vision for danger avoidance.

10 Citations

1907

DOI

The Enemies of the Frog

The cat's behavior shows enjoyment and awe, while the frog's behavior shows fear or muscular exertion, but the cat never bites the frog.

0 Citations

1886

DOI

Reversal to air-driven sound production revealed by a molecular phylogeny of tongueless frogs, family Pipidae

Pseudhymenochirus aquatic frog has evolved a reversal to air-driven sound production, but its mechanism is an evolutionary innovation based on the derived larynx of pipids.

58 Citations

2011

DOI

Animal communication: Complex call production in the túngara frog

The tngara frog's 'whine-chuck' mating call is shaped by a fibrous mass attached to the vocal folds, similar to the two-voiced song of songbirds.

88 Citations

2006

DOI

Pituitary and testicular influenced sexual behavior in male frogs, Rana pipiens.

Male frogs exhibit sexual behavior influenced by both pituitary and testicular hormones, but the specific hormone responsible remains unclear.

72 Citations

1973

DOI

Try another search

education data privacy google

Why do we have to wear socks with shoes?

good governance

What are the effects of value-based care on healthcare outcomes?

edge computing

What are the risks of surgery?