Cicadas jet spray their pee
Be prepared to bring an umbrella.
We know we’re in the summer when we hear that iconic cicada buzzing and see their empty shells on trees.
But what we don’t know about cicadas, is the jet streams of pee they produce.
They may be small, but they have hella of a pee stream.
A cicada’s diet primarily consists of xylem sap which is about 95% water. Unfortunately for them, xylem sap is low in nutrients. So, cicadas must consume up to 300 times their body weight to meet their nutritional needs. Since they consume so much xylem sap, they literally need to pee all the time.
And when they pee, they spray.
Like seriously, unlike most insects that pee one drop at a time, cicadas actually spray their pee.
Cicadas even use their pee sprays as a form of self-defence. They will jet spray intruders with their liquid waste when being threatened.
So, if you live in an area with cicadas, chances are you’ve been sprayed before. Talk about pissing themselves.
What’s even funnier, is that scientists even measured their piss streams and compared it with other animals and insects - aka a peeing contest. The scientists found that cicada piss streams are stronger than quite a few animals like rats and bats.
In fact, they even pee two to three times stronger and faster than humans and elephants.
So, next time the cicadas are out, my advice is to bring an umbrella - you’re going to need it.