Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)
Spring Peeper
Description: The Spring Peeper is a small frog with tan, brown, or gray base color and a dark “X” across its’ back. Darker lines mark the legs as well. Peepers are smaller than Wood frogs and lack their dark brown facial coloring.
Call: Sharp chirp sometimes followed by a trill. The classic herald of early spring.
Eggs: Small masses in woodland pools and swamps.
Habitat: Forests, lawns, gardens and fields. Often crosses roads in early spring. Breeds in marshes, swamps and forests. Peepers are adept climbers, and are often seen on low foliage. As soon as the ground thaws peepers will start to sing, even in late winter thaw outs. They are capable of freezing with the leaf litter because of concentrations of sugars in their cells at this time. The liquid in the cells cannot freeze if it is saturated by sugars.
Diet: Small insects and spiders.
Call: Sharp chirp sometimes followed by a trill. The classic herald of early spring.
Eggs: Small masses in woodland pools and swamps.
Habitat: Forests, lawns, gardens and fields. Often crosses roads in early spring. Breeds in marshes, swamps and forests. Peepers are adept climbers, and are often seen on low foliage. As soon as the ground thaws peepers will start to sing, even in late winter thaw outs. They are capable of freezing with the leaf litter because of concentrations of sugars in their cells at this time. The liquid in the cells cannot freeze if it is saturated by sugars.
Diet: Small insects and spiders.