ALWAYS THE SAME CROAK?

Frogs can ribbit, croak, cluck, bark, grunt, whistle, and peep. “Over the course of evolution, every frog species has developed its own characteristic mating call,” says amphibian expert Tom Kirschey. The wide variety of different rhythms and sounds is an indication of the fierce territorial competition in a given pond. Male frogs typically vocalize by squeezing their lungs with their nostrils and mouth shut. Air flows across their vocal cords and into their vocal sacs, which inflate like a bubble-gum balloon. Frogs may intentionally sound off in order to attract a mate or mark their territory or because they’re hurt or frightened. And in case you’re wondering—no, all frogs don’t “speak” the same language: The same frog species that says “ribbit” in English says “cru-cru” in Spanish, “quaak-quaak” in German, “guo guo” in Chinese, and “bre-ke-ke” in Hungarian.