Genus Species: Pseudacris crucifer

Size: ¾ - 1½”

Location: Found throughout Arkansas

Advertisement Call: Loud peeps or whistles about 1 second apart

 

 

Description:

I love to hear this guy start calling in the spring because I know that winter is over.  Notice the “X”  on his back, hence his name crucifer which means cross.  This little fellow is a chorus frog (Pseudacris) but has a much different call than the Boreal or Cajun Chorus Frogs. You can also see that he has a single vocal sac.  These frogs climb trees and have well-developed toe pads.

Interesting Fact: Worldwide about 70 new species of frogs are discovered every year.

The males will call as early as January (if warm enough) to May.  These frogs will gather at the watering hole by the hundreds and will call all night - it can rob you of sleep if you are too close.  Females will lay several hundred eggs which are attached individually to leaves and other water vegetation.  Tadpoles will hatch in a few days and develop into frogs in a month and a half to three months.

The Spring Peeper is a member of the Hylidae (Treefrog) family and is a New Frog (Neobatrachia).  In times of drought Spring Peepers will seek out the moisture and high humidity of caves.

Click for more about Spring Peepers at Herps of Arkansas