Northern Spring Peeper
Pseudacris crucifer crucifer
Appearance 2
Small - 1.9-3.5 centimeters. Variable color, usually brown to green to gray, with a white or cream stomach. Large, rounded toe-pads. Distinguished by a dark x pattern on its back.
Habitat 2
Marshy woods, ponds, swamps and non-wooded lowlands. They are only found in eastern North America - in the U.S. they are only east of the Mississippi River.
Behavior/Reproduction 2
Between April and June, they lay clusters of eggs in vernal pools or ponds. The eggs are laid in clumps, usually attached to plants. The tadpoles hatch in 4 to 15 days and become frogs aged 45 to 90 days. They are able to breed the next year.
They are usually solitary except during breeding seasons, when they gather at ponds and pools, and are mostly nocturnal. They prefer to stay near the ground and burrow despite their climbing abilities. In the winter they burrow under leaves, logs or soil and hibernate.
Fun Fact 2
Their name comes from their distinctive call, often likened to the sound of a chick or to sleigh bells. They can make this sound because their vocal sacs are larger than those of most frogs.
Citations 2
http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/Pseudacris_crucifer/
Sources and Credits
- (c) Todd Pierson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/twpierson/5692045138/
- (c) gburg2016, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
More Info
iNat Map
| Category | Amphibians and Reptiles |
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