Chinooks make Salties Get Sexy
Chinooks make Salties Get Sexy
Crocodile sex frenzy triggered by Chinook helicopters
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/ ... rana-farm/
Rotor blades spur a burst of mating at Queensland farm in Australia, researchers find
By Nick Squires 3 October 2023 • 12:59pm
The thunderous sound made by the rotor blades of military helicopters provokes sex frenzies among saltwater crocodiles in Australia, researchers have found.
It is believed that to the crocodiles, the sonorous thump of the choppers sounds either like the mating roar of rival males – which spurs them to rush to mate with females – or evokes the sound of thunder, which signals the onset of the wet season and breeding time.
The unusual phenomenon has been observed at a crocodile farm in Queensland, where the reptiles are bred for their meat and skins.
Koorana Crocodile Farm, outside the coastal city of Rockhampton, is on a flight path used by helicopters heading to and from the huge Shoalwater Bay military training area to the north.
The owners of the reptile farm have noticed that every time big military helicopters such as Chinooks swoop in, male crocodiles go into a libidinous frenzy in what has been described as a mass “romp in the swamp”.
John Lever, the owner of the farm, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation: “We had a big Chinook that came down low because the guys wanted to take some pictures of the crocodiles.
“They were hanging out the door … and of course, Chinooks have got a big ‘thump, thump, thump’, like that. All of the big males got up and roared and bellowed up at the sky, and then after the helicopters left, they mated like mad.”
In saltwater crocodiles’ natural habitat across northern Australia, thunderstorms act as “an aphrodisiac” – “it really turns them on”, said Mr Lever.
The noise and vibrations emitted by a powerful military helicopter may evoke the signs that the crocodiles pick up from an approaching storm.
The big “salties”, as saltwater crocodiles are nicknamed in Australia, generally start to breed during the wet season.
“They’re probably using it as a bit of a cue to say: ‘Hey the wet’s coming’ … and it’s a good time to start mating so the eggs are ready to be laid at just the right time,” said Dr Cameron Baker, a crocodile expert from Charles Darwin University.
Male crocodiles may also mistake the noise of an approaching chopper for the sound normally made by a rival male, which would spur them into mating with the nearest female to exclude competitors.
“It might be producing a very low-frequency ‘thump, thump’ as it hits the water,” Dr Baker told the ABC. “That may just coincidentally be similar to some of the sounds big male crocodiles produce to say: ‘Hey, this is my turf.’”
Koorana is the first commercial crocodile farm in Queensland, having opened more than 40 years ago. It was initially stocked with aggressive problem crocodiles that Mr Lever and his wife captured in the wild.
The farm operates tours for visitors and has a restaurant that offers croc burgers, croc kebabs, croc pies and even crocodile spicy noodle soup.
Re: Chinooks make Salties Get Sexy
Helicopters as an aphrodisiac?
Who knew?
Any insight from our resident whirlybirders?
PP
![Surprise :-o](./images/smilies/13.gif)
Who knew?
![Hmm... :-?](./images/smilies/39.gif)
Any insight from our resident whirlybirders?
![Nail biting :-ss](./images/smilies/42.gif)
PP
Re: Chinooks make Salties Get Sexy
In the 1980s we lived in rural Gloucestershire. Boscombe were experimenting with night vision goggle fits in various aircraft. Having just put the light out about midnight we became aware of a persistent thudding noise, which I quickly realised was an approaching Chinook, having turned down the chance of flying the BV234 when I flew offshore from Aberdeen. I jumped out of bed and opened the window in time to see the nav lights of the aircraft pass directly over the house at no more than 100ft in the pitch dark.
I can't say it triggered me into a mating frenzy but it was exciting none the less as we didn't usually see much military rotary action there apart from the SAS flying to and from somewhere in their AG109. That made us pay particular attention to the news later to see who might be receiving their 'attentions' the next day!
I can't say it triggered me into a mating frenzy but it was exciting none the less as we didn't usually see much military rotary action there apart from the SAS flying to and from somewhere in their AG109. That made us pay particular attention to the news later to see who might be receiving their 'attentions' the next day!
- G~Man
- Capt
- Posts: 1120
- Joined: Sun Aug 23, 2015 4:16 pm
- Location: California on a fire or a sailboat somewhere.
- Gender:
- Age: 60
Re: Chinooks make Salties Get Sexy
17 Reasons why it is easier to live with a helicopter than a woman -
- Helicopters usually kill you quickly - a woman takes her time.
Helicopters can be turned on by a flick of a switch.
Helicopters don't get mad if you do a "touch and go."
Helicopters don't object to a preflight inspection.
Helicopters come with manuals to explain their operation.
Helicopters have strict weight and balance limitations.
Helicopters can be flown any time of the month.
Helicopters don't come with in-laws.
Helicopters don't care about how many other helicopters you've flown before.
Helicopters and pilots both arrive at the same time.
Helicopters don't mind if you look at other helicopters.
Helicopters don't mind if you buy "helicopter" magazines.
Helicopters expect to be tied down.
Helicopters don't comment on your driving skills.
Helicopters don't whine unless something is really wrong.
A helicopter’s attitude is easier to adjust!!!
However, when helicopters go quiet, just like women, it's usually not good.
![Cool B-)](./images/smilies/16.gif)
![Cool B-)](./images/smilies/16.gif)
Re: Chinooks make Salties Get Sexy
Thanks G~Man!
I expected no less.
PP
![Applause :YMAPPLAUSE:](./images/smilies/41.gif)
I expected no less.
![Thumbs up! :-bd](./images/smilies/113.gif)
![Praise ^:)^](./images/smilies/77.gif)
PP
Re: Chinooks make Salties Get Sexy
Thanks G~Man!
I expected no less.
PP
![Applause :YMAPPLAUSE:](./images/smilies/41.gif)
I expected no less.
![Thumbs up! :-bd](./images/smilies/113.gif)
![Praise ^:)^](./images/smilies/77.gif)
PP