Khaberni -During explosive breeding events, large numbers of European common frogs (Rana temporaria) gather in ponds. In these periods, the number of males greatly exceeds the number of females, which leads males to harass and cling to any moving frog, sometimes leading to what is known as "mating balls," tangled groups of frogs that may cause females to suffocate or drown.
To counter this intense pressure, females have developed three effective defensive strategies:
1. Rotation: The female twists her body to shed the clinging males, and this method has been used by 83% of females in cases of forced mating (amplexus).
2. Release calls: Females emit sounds similar to male calls, as a signal that they are not interested, and this method is used by 48% of females.
3. Tonic immobility or playing dead: The female stiffens and extends her limbs as though dead, in an attempt to deter the male. This method has been used by 33% of females and is likely a last resort response to psychological pressure and not a conscious trick.
Despite the violent conditions, these behaviors have shown relative effectiveness; 25 out of 54 females managed to escape from males in laboratory experiments. Notably, younger (and smaller) females were more likely to use all these tactics and were more successful in escaping.
