How Does a Cricket Hear With Its Legs?

Eardrums on Legs

Crickets, like many other creatures, hear with their ears. However, crickets' ears are not located on their heads, like most creatures, but rather, on front of their legs. These "eardrums" are actually membranes that pick up and read nearby vibrations, thereby allowing crickets to hear.

Types of Songs

Crickets need to hear stems from one of three primary factors; females picking up mating calls from male crickets, aggression from another cricket, and to hear "courtship" songs just before mating. Male and female crickets' eardrums are located in nearly identical spots, so each gender of the species hears in the same way; through the legs.

Respective Genders

The eardrums located on a cricket's knees come in handy in different ways for each gender of crickets. The female's need to hear stems mostly from potential mates sounding out calls to them. Meanwhile, the male's need to hear stems mostly from hearing other potential mates of the female call out to her. Male crickets are known for respectfully allowing other male crickets to call out to potential mates, and not interrupting, but rather, waiting their turn to call out as well.

References

• Urban Wildlife Safari
• Maryland Cooperative Extension
• Animal Communication Project