Cricket as a Thermometer

Male crickets rub their wings together to attract females. You can measure the air temperature to within a few degrees by listening to a chirping cricket and applying a simple mathematical formula. This formula is called Dolbear's Law and was formulated by Amos Dolbear in 1897.

Here's how it works:

1. Count the number of times that the cricket chirps in 14 seconds.

2. Add 40 to this number. This will be the air temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.

Note: Different species of crickets respond differently to the air temperature and will use slightly different calculations. This formula is based upon an average of common cricket species.