Temperature (F) = number of cricket chirps in 15 seconds + 40
Did you know, you can tell temperature based on cricket chirps?
Called Dolbear’s Law, the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit can be approximated by counting the number of cricket chirps in 15 seconds and adding 40. That will give you the temperature in Fahrenheit (F).
Therefore: Temperature (F) = number of cricket chirps in 15 seconds + 40
This formula works because cricket chirp rate is influenced by their body temperature, which is regulated by the external environment since crickets are ectotherms (cold-blooded critters).
Several other factors can influence the chirping rate of crickets like species, age, health, hunger, mating success, and competition.
However, crickets typically don’t chirp when temperatures are below 55°F or above 100°F.
Tip: You can record the chirps for 15 seconds and count them later.
Crickets chirp by rubbing their wings together in a process called stridulation. Chirps are primarily produced by male crickets to attract mates.
