Spring Peeper

The spring peeper, also knowned as the hyla and Pseudacris crucifer, is like no other chorus frog. The spring peeper is one of the most common frogs in the east of the USA. It is a small frog attaining an adult size of only a little over an inch long. The spring peeper has a X formed on its back. It is normally not a perfect X but is some form of an X. The color variations of the spring peeper are mostly tan, brown, green, or gray.

There are two subspecies of the spring peeper, the northern (P. c. crucifer) and the southern spring peeper (P. c. bartramiana). The northern is similar to the southern except for a strong dark marking on the southern frog's belly. The southern spring peeper is limited to northern Florida and southern Georgia, while the northern can be found all over the east of the USA.

The spring peeper eats small insects such as small spiders, ants, and water bugs. Its predators are giant beetles snakes and larger frogs. Spring peepers breed in southern areas from November to March. In northern areas March to June when the warm rain starts. Spring peepers lay up to 1000 eggs. Spring peepers hibernate under logs and loose bark. The spring peeper usually live in moist places. Spring peepers are nocturnal frogs so they are mostly heard but not seen.

Referenced By