Fifth Grade
Worksheets
How Do Frogs Croak?
Lions roar. Birds sing. Frogs say, "Ribbit, ribbit." Did you ever wonder why or how they make such unusual sounds?
Of course, frogs don't all sound the same. Small frogs produce a high, chirping sound, while large bullfrogs produce a deep, bass note that can be heard as far as a mile away. But all frogs produce their croaking sounds for the same reasons.
The main reason is to attract a mate. Male frogs sound off to attract female frogs. When female frogs hear a chorus of croaks echoing around the pond, they know that male frogs are there, too. Then each female can make her choice of a good mate by listening to the differences among all of the voices around the water.
Male frogs also croak to claim their territory. A croaking sound warns other males that a particular spot on the pond is already taken.
Mainly, it is only the male frogs that make all of the croaking noises. Female frogs seem to mostly just listen.
