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In this video, you can hear the mating song of the water truck. The water truck (Carrus Aqueus), a branch off from the fuel truck (Carrus Petroleus), is a species endemic in Beirut. In the Fall, it signals its presence through this long, plaintive howl, in bursts lasting 15 min.
It is said that both species established themselves in the city in the 70s and 80s. We Beiruti humans (Homo Beryteus) have adapted in turn to their presence and have even come to depend on them in critical ways.
Carrus Aqueus has a long, sinuous sexual organ that it typically throws very high in the air during the Fall mating season, unlike its cousin Carrus Petroleus, who tends to throw it downward. The song of the latter is not as dramatic as the song of the former.
Here is footage I have of a specimen of Carrus Aqueus, a young but mature male I believe, unfortunately my presence disturbed him and he ran away. Contrary to what you could infer from their song, they tend to be very shy.
