3,000 Australian Crocodiles Went Into 'Sex Frenzy' Following Military Helicopter Sounds

Crocodiles went into a 'sex frenzy' in Queensland, Australia, after hearing sounds coming from a military helicopter. According to reports, the reptiles had their sex drive pumped up after the aircraft flew low over the Koorana Crocodile Farm, which is home to approximately 3,000 crocodiles.

pThe wild animals reportedly may have mistaken the helicopter noise as a sound used for mating calls by other competing male crocodiles over their female counterparts, according to experts.

Australian Crocodile Sex Frenzy

The "crocodile sex frenzy" incident in central Queensland was triggered by Chinook helicopters and a thunderous sound that resemble the growl of the crocodilians. According to the crocodile farm's owner, John Lever, the crocodiles started to communicate with each other after the military chopper flew too low, reports say.

While the incident has been considered bizarre, local sources indicate that the helicopter flyby altered air pressure after its fast-moving rotor blades hovered above the farm. This sound had aroused or set the mood for the Australian crocodiles. Lever even added that the crocodiles reacted to the sonic waves of the chopper.

While this is not the first time that a certain reptile species engaged in mass mating call following the passage of a helicopter. In fact, local Australian media reported that the Singapore Armed Forces often conduct bilateral training operations in the area and use the crocodile farm as a mark point.

Universal Emotional Arousal Language

The incident only shows the audio-sensitive trait of crocodiles not only on helicopter sounds but even those coming from humans. For instance, Nile crocodiles are sensitive to the cries of distress primate babies, particularly human infants, according to a study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences in August 2023.

The study explains that the more these types of mammals' cry, the more the crocodiles get interested. Meanwhile, another research cited Charles Darwin's initial hypothesis that all terrestrial vertebrates evolved a universal signaling system. This is a form of communication that evolved with us for millions of years. In the case of alligators and even other animals, Darwin had previously unraveled a universal language of arousal, also called "emotional arousal."

Australian Crocodiles

The common species of the reptile found in Australia is the saltwater crocodile, which has an estimated population of between 100,000 and 200,000. According to wildlife experts, saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) have a polygynous system, which means male crocodiles are inclined to mate with multiple female crocodiles.

Aside from being alarmed by helicopter sounds, saltwater crocodiles in their natural habitats such as freshwater areas engage in such mating acts between the months of November and March, in general. However, the Queensland Government suggests that the crocodile breeding season is from September to April, where the animals are most active at night.

Over the course of mating season, crocodiles in the past have been season mated several times in one season.