Disturbing truth about common outdoor occurrence shocks unsuspecting Aussies: ‘Had no idea’

Sydney: This summer, Aussies have been treated to a loud, buzzing soundtrack. Thousands of cicadas are chirping away, creating a noise that’s hard to ignore. It’s a rare event that happens once every seven years.

For many, the sound brings back childhood memories of outdoor adventures. But there’s a surprising twist that has left people in disbelief. If you’ve walked under a tree filled with cicadas, you might have felt something wet falling on you. Spoiler alert: it’s not rain; it’s cicada pee!

Professor David Emery from the University of Sydney explained that when cicadas gather and sing, they create a deafening noise to scare off predators. But all that singing makes them thirsty, so they suck on tree sap for energy. And yes, they do pee out the excess water, which is what’s falling from the trees.

Dr. Katrina Warren, a well-known vet, was shocked to learn that the liquid is likely cicada urine. She shared on TikTok that these little guys can spray their pee with some serious force—up to three meters per second! So, if you’re out in the bush and feel something wet, it’s probably not rain.

Many people are now realizing they’ve been “rained on” by cicada pee without even knowing it. One person shared their surprise, saying, “I’ve lived in Australia my whole life and never knew this!” Others are questioning every bushwalk they’ve been on, wondering if they’ve been splashed by cicadas.

This year, cicadas have emerged in huge numbers, especially in the NSW Blue Mountains. It’s been a wild sight, with various species adding to the noise. While the U.S. saw a massive cicada emergence this year, Australia’s cicada cycles are less understood. Good winter rains and an early spring are thought to have triggered this year’s event.

So, next time you’re out enjoying nature, just remember: that “rain” might just be cicada pee!