Katydids

insects · sound makers · night creatures · grasshoppers

They make music. Male katydids rub their wings together to create loud chirping and buzzing sounds, usually at night. Each species has its own special song that helps them find mates.

Extra long antennae. Katydids have incredibly long, thin antennae that can be as long as their whole body or even longer. These help them sense their surroundings and find food and other katydids.

Hide in green places. Most katydids are bright green or brown so they blend in perfectly with leaves, grass, and bushes. This camouflage keeps them safe from hungry predators like birds and reptiles.

Found everywhere. With more than 8,000 species living on every continent except Antarctica, katydids are one of the most successful insect families on Earth. They thrive in forests, grasslands, and gardens.

Ears on their legs. Instead of ears on their heads like humans, katydids have hearing organs called tympana on their front legs. This lets them detect the songs of other katydids from far away.