Why do frogs scream?

Some frogs certainly can scream, especially the common frog. The usual cause of this shrill, piercing shriek is alarm at a predator, often a cat or dog. The noise can last for more than five seconds and resembles the scream of a startled baby.

Why do frogs scream?

Juvenile birds and crocodiles are thought to emit calls like this to attract the attention of their parents, but little is known about the adaptive significance of such distress calls in frogs.

Most scientists agree that the scream probably evolved as a mechanism to startle attackers, but it could also serve to attract secondary predators. If a bird attacks a frog, for instance, the frog’s scream may lure a cat. The jury is currently out on the true evolutionary reasons at play.

Some newts also emit a distress call – a short, muffled groan. Common toads aren’t widely reported to use such a tactic. Perhaps having poison glands and being able to fill your body with air is protection enough.

Do you have a wildlife question you’d like answered? Email your question to wildquestions@immediate.co.uk or post it to Q&A, BBC Wildlife Magazine, Immediate Media Company, Eagle House, Bristol, BS1 4ST.