Radiolab Frailmales
4 snips
May 13, 2022 
Becca Bressler, a producer at Radiolab, brings to life the fascinating world of male crickets, detailing their clever mating strategies and the lengths they’ll go to attract a mate. She highlights their unique adaptations, including tool use to amplify their calls. The conversation also dives into a historic college football game where a ragtag team faced off against a powerhouse, turning into an underdog saga that showcases resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.
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Cricket's Capture
- Becca Bressler, usually indifferent to animals, found a cricket story compelling.
- She was searching for a podcast topic in an Airbnb and discovered this intriguing cricket.
Finding Tiny Tree Crickets
- Tiny tree crickets, about half a pinky finger long, live in fields near Bangalore, India.
- They are found by listening for their song at night.
Costly Cricket Songs
- Male crickets sing to attract mates, losing up to 20% of their body weight nightly.
- This "sexual selection" mirrors the peacock's tail, a costly trait favored by females.