Spring Peeper
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| Spring Peeper | ||||||||||||||
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| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Pseudacris crucifer (Wied-Neuwied, 1838) |
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Hyla crucifer Cocroft, 1994 |
A spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) is a small chorus frog widespread throughout the eastern USA and Canada.
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[edit] Physical description and etymology
The spring peeper is a small species, attaining an adult size between 0.75 inches (19 mm) and 1 inch (25 mm) long. They have a dark cross on their backs roughly in the shape of an "X" (thus the Latin name crucifer, meaning cross-bearer)[1], though sometimes the marking may be indistinct. The color variations of the P. crucifer are mostly tan, brown, olive green, and gray. Females are lighter-colored, while males are slightly smaller and usually have dark throats. This frog has a vocal sac located by its throat, which expands and deflates like a balloon to create a short and distinct peeping sound. Only males have the ability to make this loud high-pitched noise, and they use it to attract mates. This creature lives in wetlands, marshes, and pond or swamp regions in order to support the aquatic environment the larvae need. The Spring Peeper breeds between the months of March to June, and deposits around 900 eggs that are hidden under vegetation or debris at the water base. After hatching, they transform into frogs and are ready to leave the water in about eight weeks.
[edit] Nicknames
On Martha's Vineyard, peepers are commonly called "pinkletinks"; in New Brunswick, Canada, they are called "tinkletoes.".
[edit] Behavior
The spring peeper eats small arachnids and insects such as ants, and water bugs. At the larva stage, tadpoles feed on algae and other organisms in the water.Its predators include great diving beetle larvae (when in tadpole form), snakes, skunks, and larger frogs. Spring peepers breed in southern areas from October to March, depending on the local temperature. In northern areas, they breed from March to June when the warm rain starts. P. crucifer typically lay around 900 eggs per clutch, but up to 1000 is possible. In very cold weather, they hibernate under logs and loose bark. Spring peepers are nocturnal frogs, and they are mostly heard but not seen. They are especially easy to hear due to their extremely loud mating call which gives them the name "peeper", but it is often hard to pinpoint the source of the sound, especially when many are peeping at once.
[edit] Media
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[edit] References
- Hammerson (2004). Pseudacris crucifer. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is of least concern
- Spring Peeper Species account from the Iowa Reptile and Amphibian Field Guide
[edit] External links
Information related to Pseudacris crucifer from Wikispecies.
