Northern Cricket Frog
Scientific Name: Acris crepitans
Size: 0.5-1.5 inches (1.6-3.5 cm) in length
PA Status: Species of special concern
Habitat Type:
A permanent water source like slow-moving streams in open habitat, the margin of lakes and ponds, and around springs or marshy areas.
Colorations:
- The dorsal body color is grey, brown or light green with a light bright green to chestnut brown middorsal stripe and dark spots scattered over the back.
- A dark triangular shaped spot is present between the eyes.
- The upper lip has alternating light and dark spots.
- A light bar extends from the eyes to the base of the forelegs.
- The dorsal surface of the hind legs has dark cross-bars and a dark longitutinal stripe aloung the back of the thigh.
- The sides of the body has large, dark diffuesed spots.
- The ventral is white.
Characteristics:
- Small-sized species.
- The body is slender.
- The head is long and pointed.
- The upperjaw extends infront of the lower jaw.
- The fore legs are normal size and the fingers are not webbed.
- The hind legs are very long and the toes are long and webbed.
- The toes and fingers terminate into disk.
- The dorsal skin gradular with scattered warts.
- The ventral skin is smooth on the chest and becomes granular posteriorly.
Tadpole coloration and characteristics:
- Small. Average 3-5 cm
- The dorsal surface is olive green, and mottled with black.
- The ventral is lighter than the dorsal and somewhat iridescent.
- The tail crests are low and translucent with scattered dark spots.
- The tail is similar in color to the body and the tip is black.
Confused with:
- May resimble resently transformed Rana Species.
- Chorus Frogs.
Coloration/Pattern Photos:
Adults
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Tadpoles
Eggs
Listen
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Range Map:

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References:
- Hulse, C. and McCoy C. J. and Ellen Censky ,1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. 138-141pp.
Photo & Audio Credits:
- Bob Hamilton
- Bill Peterman
- Kyle Loucks
- Dave Emma
- Chris Harrison
- Doug Warner
- Don Becker

