Snowy Tree Cricket – A.K.A. Thermometer Cricket

“Just ask the animals, and they will teach you. Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you. … For the life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being. – Job 12:7, 10 NLT

If you’ve ever watched a movie where you could hear crickets chirping in the night to give the ambiance of a peaceful, quiet evening – you’ve probably heard a sound made by the Snowy Tree Cricket. Their chirping has been used as background “music” for decades in the movie and TV industry, and they can be found in almost all of the lower 48 states. They are called “snowy” because some individuals are so pale they appear nearly white.  

The Snowy Tree Cricket is also known as the “Thermometer Cricket,” as their chirp rate can be used to determine the surrounding air temperature. The formula is to count the number of chirps in about 13 seconds, then add 40 to estimate the ambient temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.

These crickets usually inhabit the smaller understory of shrubs and bushes on the edges of forests. Or, as in the above picture, under the leaves of ferns and other short plants. When a cold front moves through, they can often be found near the ground on trunks of small trees. This relatively sheltered area may hold a bit of additional heat from the soil, with little air movement to help hold the warmer air around the cricket.

Who Figured This Out?

I am not sure who sat in a laboratory – or around a campfire – sorting out the formula for calculating the air temperature by counting cricket chirps.

But I am sure Who is the One who holds the life of every living thing in His hand, along with the breath of each human being!

That’s a pretty sobering thought.

If you are not sure how you can have your own personal relationship with the One who holds your very next breath in His hand, please see Got God?

Best wishes counting the number of chirps from the next Snowy Tree Cricket you hear. (A quick search of the internet will reveal multiple recordings of their song).

A long time ago I had mixed results when I first tried this. But recently the temperatures I calculated from cricket-chirps were very close to the actual thermometer readings. Perhaps I am now hiking where the crickets are above average at math. Give it a try eh!

Hope you have a really great day.