Crickets: Nature’s Thermometers

 

Almost everyone has heard crickets chirping in the evening. But did you know that they are actually telling you the temperature outside? Today Papaw is going to give you a quick formula to calculate the temperature by listening to the crickets in your yard. You can even tell your math teacher that you did some math practice over the summer!

The Old Farmer’s Almanac has helped people with times for planting crops and preparing for the weather for over 200 years. Some things are pretty accurate; others are about 50/50. The formula they give for crickets has been tested scientifically and seems to be pretty accurate. You could even do an experiment on your own. All you need is a thermometer, a watch or clock, your awesome addition skills, and some crickets.

Crickets are cold-blooded (they don’t produce their own heat) so they stay the same temperature as the surrounding air. If they are cold, they cannot move as fast. When they warm up, they get more energy to chirp. If it’s too cold or too hot, they say “forget it” and go take a nap. Crickets usually don’t chirp if the temperature is under 50℉ (Fahrenheit, that’s the temperature we use here in the US.) or over 100 ℉.

To Convert Cricket Chirps to Degrees Fahrenheit:

Just count the number of chirps in 14 seconds, then add 40 to get the temperature. The number you get will be an approximation of the outside temperature.

Example: 30 chirps + 40 = 70°F

Here is a simple guide I made so you can check out what the crickets are telling you.

 

 So next time you hear a cricket, check to see what temperature he is telling you!

Until next time,

Love Papaw.