Frog Serenades Echo Climate Change Impact

Study finds male frogs' mating calls change with water temperature, signaling breeding conditions to females

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A study from the University of California, Davis, found that temperature affects the sound and quality of male frogs' mating calls. In colder, early spring weather, their songs start off sluggish, but pick up pace in warmer conditions, which female frogs prefer. The findings suggest frogs' vocalizations could be an indicator of how climate change is impacting breeding patterns and timing.

Why it matters

Understanding how climate change affects frog breeding patterns is critical for conservation, as amphibians are the most endangered vertebrate class with 41% of species threatened. The study provides insight into how female frogs use male mating calls to assess environmental conditions for reproduction.

The details

Researcher Julianne Pekny recorded the mating calls of Sierran treefrogs at UC Natural Reserves, finding their songs were faster and more attractive to females when water was warmer. This suggests males may be signaling the appropriateness of breeding conditions, which females interpret beyond the males' intentions.

  • The study was published in February 2026.

The players

Julianne Pekny

A UC Davis graduate student in the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology when the study was conducted, and currently director of conservation science with the Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy in North Carolina.

Brian Todd

A professor in the UC Davis Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology department and a herpetologist.

Eric Post

A UC Davis professor who studies phenology, or the timing of cyclical events in nature.

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What they’re saying

“The song of frogs really depends on the temperature of the environment. As ponds warm, male frogs go from sounding slow and sluggish to faster and almost desperate. I can hear it with my human ears, and female frogs are also paying attention.”

— Julianne Pekny, UC Davis graduate student (Mirage News)

“It's in the best interest for males to get to the pond as early as possible, before other males. But it's in the best interest of females to get there when it's actually time to go and lay their eggs.”

— Brian Todd, Professor, UC Davis Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology (Mirage News)

“This could potentially revolutionize the study of phenological responses to climate change. We're emphasizing a new understanding of the role of springtime vocalizations by frogs and toads. Males may be unwittingly signaling nuances about the appropriateness of environmental conditions for breeding, and females interpret these signals beyond the intentions of males.”

— Eric Post, Professor, UC Davis (Mirage News)

What’s next

The study's findings could lead to further research on how climate change is impacting frog breeding patterns and the potential use of frog vocalizations as an indicator of environmental conditions.

The takeaway

This study provides valuable insight into how climate change may be affecting the breeding behaviors of frogs, a highly threatened group of animals. By understanding how temperature influences frog mating calls, researchers can better track the impacts of a warming climate on amphibian populations and guide conservation efforts.