Acris crepitans

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Superclass: Tetrapoda

Class: Amphibia

Order: Anura

Acris crepitans, commonly known as the Northern Cricket Frog, is a small and often cryptic frog species found in various parts of the United States.

DESCRIPTION

Northern Cricket Frogs are small, with adults typically ranging from 0.75 to 1.5 inches (1.9 to 3.8 cm) in length.
They have a variable dorsal coloration, which can range from green to brown or gray. There may be irregular patterns or blotches on their back, but these are often subtle.
A distinctive feature is a dark, mask-like line that runs through each eye and continues along the sides of the head. This mask gives them a somewhat "masked" appearance.
Many Northern Cricket Frogs have a pale or light-colored stripe that runs down the center of their back, but this feature can be variable and may not be present in all individuals.
On the underside of their hind legs, you can find yellow or orange femoral patches. These patches are often visible when the frog is in a jumping position.
They have a relatively slender body with long, slender legs. Their limbs are adapted for jumping, and their toes have small adhesive pads for gripping surfaces.
Northern Cricket Frogs have partially webbed toes, which are most pronounced on their hind feet. These webbed toes aid in swimming and jumping.
They are named "Cricket Frogs" due to their distinctive cricket-like calls. Males produce a series of short, rapid "clicking" or "crepitating" calls during the breeding season. These calls are often used for species identification.

REPRODUCTION

Northern Cricket Frogs typically breed during the spring and early summer months, usually when temperatures and rainfall are favorable. Breeding activity is often triggered by warm, humid nights and typically occurs in or near aquatic habitats.
Male Northern Cricket Frogs are known for their distinctive mating calls, which sound like rapid, repetitive clicks or crepitating sounds, resembling the calls of crickets. These calls serve to attract females and establish territory. Each male has its unique call pattern.
When a female approaches a calling male, courtship ensues. Courtship behaviors may involve vocalizations, physical interactions, and visual displays. Males often produce their calls while performing these courtship behaviors.
Once courtship is successful, the male grasps the female's body in a position known as amplexus. Amplexus allows for the transfer of sperm from the male to the female. In Northern Cricket Frogs, amplexus can be axillary, meaning the male grasps the female around her forelimbs.
After successful amplexus, the female lays her eggs in aquatic vegetation or submerged debris within the breeding habitat. Northern Cricket Frogs are known to use a variety of shallow water bodies for egg deposition, including ponds, marshes, slow-moving streams, and temporary pools.
The eggs are typically laid in small clusters or gelatinous masses. The gelatinous coating helps protect the eggs from drying out and provides some level of protection against predation.
Northern Cricket Frog eggs hatch into tadpoles within a week or two, depending on temperature and environmental conditions. The tadpoles are aquatic and live in the water bodies where they were deposited. They have specialized mouthparts for filter-feeding on algae and detritus.
As the tadpoles grow and develop, they undergo metamorphosis. During this process, they gradually transform into juvenile frogs. Metamorphosis includes the development of limbs, the absorption of the tail, and changes in respiratory and feeding structures.
Once metamorphosis is complete, the juvenile frogs leave the water and transition to a terrestrial lifestyle. They resemble miniature versions of the adult frogs but are often more brightly colored and smaller in size.
As the juvenile frogs continue to grow, they reach full adulthood and become sexually mature. They will participate in future breeding seasons to continue the reproductive cycle.

HABITAT

The Northern Cricket Frog (Acris crepitans) primarily inhabits wetland and aquatic environments, including ponds, temporary pools, marshes, and slow-moving streams. They prefer sunny areas near water and often seek refuge under vegetation or debris when not actively foraging or breeding.