Traffic noise could be ruining sex lives of frogs - Truckers' Trucking Forum

Baack · **^ Top** #1 08.21.2009

Quote:

CANBERRA, Australia – Traffic noise could be ruining the sex lives of urban frogs by drowning out the seductive croaks of amorous males, an Australian researcher said Friday.
A well-projected and energetic croak is the male frog's most important asset in the quest to attract mates to his pond, Melbourne University ecologist Kirsten Parris said.
But competition from traffic noise in Melbourne could be a reason why frog numbers have declined in Australia's second-largest city since her survey of more than 100 ponds began in 2000, she said.
"If there are a number of different males calling, the one that sounds the best often gets the girl," Parris told The Associated Press. "You have to be pretty clear about your assets if you're a male frog.
"Generally, if he's putting a lot of energy into calling — if he's calling loudly or quickly or for a long time or all those things combined — it shows he's fit and strong and generally those things tend to correlate with female choice," she added.
Parris found the distance at which a frog suitor can be heard by a potential mate is slashed by city noise.
"This makes it much harder for frogs to attract mates and this could then mean that their breeding success is reduced," Parris said.
Frog species with low-pitched croaks are most disadvantaged because they are competing against the low-pitched rumble of traffic and machinery such as air conditioners, she said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090821/...ralia_frog_sex

rookietrucker · **^ Top** #2 08.21.2009

Interesting article,

kickin chicken · **^ Top** #3 08.23.2009

Well, its been happening around here for years. If the noise doesn't drown their croaking out, then they get squashed trying to cross the road to get to their sweetie.

Turtles have an even harder time trying to get their sex on. If they survive the road then they still have to find an acceptable mate. Which is probably on the other side of the road. Oooops

danc694u · **^ Top** #4 08.23.2009

Australia must have some wimpy frogs.

That's all you can here around here at night....and the crickets.

simplyred1962 · **^ Top** #5 08.23.2009

I thought Australia was having a problem with an over-abundance of frogs?

Or, maybe it was just a certain TYPE of frog?

Judi Kay

kickin chicken · **^ Top** #6 08.23.2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by danc694u

Australia must have some wimpy frogs.

That's all you can here around here at night....and the crickets.

Isn't that the truth!!!

The frogs and crickets can ruin a nice evening outside. Not to mention a restful night's sleep.

When we are at the pool, we turn the music up, just to drown out the noise that they create.
Forget a conversation, once the chorus of critters starts.

If noise would hinder them or vibration then we would have no frogs around our pool.

No, they brazenly jump in the pool w/ us. Probably jamming out too.

They still manage to mate, aparantly!!!
Maybe we should start selling frog legs

DoubleDear · **^ Top** #7 08.26.2009

Quote:

"If there are a number of different males calling, the one that sounds the best often gets the girl," Parris told The Associated Press. "You have to be pretty clear about your assets if you're a male frog.
"Generally, if he's putting a lot of energy into calling — if he's calling loudly or quickly or for a long time or all those things combined — it shows he's fit and strong and generally those things tend to correlate with female choice," she added.

They must have all made their way over to my house. We moved to this 120 acre farm with no neighbors and a dirt gravel road. You're lucky if you see a car pass by after several hours.
We have a pond across the road. The first two weeks it was hard falling asleep listening to all the bull frogs at night.
Thanks for this info.... Now I know why they are doing this.

jess-juju · **^ Top** #8 08.26.2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by simplyred1962

I thought Australia was having a problem with an over-abundance of frogs?

Or, maybe it was just a certain TYPE of frog?

Judi Kay

Yeah Cane toads nasty nasty creepy looking things!! Leave the door open in Queensland and you will find them in the house

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