Frogs' ultrasonic screams unveiled by Brazilian scientists

WEB DESK: Deep in the heart of the Amazon jungle, where the trees whisper secrets and the critters play their own symphony, Brazil scientists stumbled upon a curious phenomenon: frogs screaming at a volume that could shatter eardrums… if you were an animal, that is, as reported by Sky News.

Picture this: tiny leaf litter frogs, standing tall (well, as tall as a frog can stand), arching their backs, throwing their heads back, and opening their mouths wide like they’re belting out a chart-topping ballad. But here’s the kicker – the scientists couldn’t hear a single peep.

Enter the high-frequency audio recorders, the unsung heroes of the scientific community. With their trusty devices in hand, the researchers captured the first-ever documented case of what they’ve dubbed “defensive ultrasound” in amphibians.

So, why the dramatic scream fest? According to the brainiacs from Brazil’s State University of Campinas, it’s all about survival. These froggy crooners are sending out distress signals to ward off predators, kind of like a desperate plea for backup. It’s like calling in the cavalry without even saying a word.

But here’s where it gets even wilder – when the scientists analysed the recorded screams using their fancy software, they discovered a frequency range of 7 kilohertz (kHz) to a whopping 44 kHz. For us mere mortals, anything above 20 kHz is pure silence, classified as ultrasound. In other words, these frogs are screaming at a pitch only the animal kingdom can appreciate.

And guess what? This isn’t the first time frogs have pulled off this sneaky stunt. A researcher, Mariana Retuci Pontes, recalls witnessing similar behavior on a previous expedition, but alas, lacked the technology to capture the ultrasonic serenade.

Now, before you go thinking frogs are the only ones with a secret sonic arsenal, think again. Bats, whales, rhinos, dogs, pigeons, cuttlefish – you name it, they’ve got it. They’ve been holding ultra-infrasonic concerts right under our noses, and we haven’t got a clue.

So, the next time you’re out for a leisurely stroll in nature, remember – while you’re basking in the serene silence, the animal kingdom might just be putting on a show you’re not cool enough to hear.