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
Northern Cricket Frog - By: Wayne Fidler Northern Cricket Frog - By: Wayne Fidler Northern Cricket Frog - By: Wayne Fidler
Northern Cricket Frog - By: Kyle Loucks Northern Cricket Frog - By: Kyle Loucks Northern Cricket Frog - By: Kyle Loucks
Northern Cricket Frog - By: Dave Emma Northern Cricket Frog - By: Dave Emma Northern Cricket Frog - By: Dave Emma
Northern Cricket Frog - By: Dave Emma Northern Cricket Frog - By: Bill Peterman
Tadpoles
Eggs

Range Map:

References:

  • Hulse, C. and McCoy C. J. and Ellen Censky ,1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. 138-141pp.

Photo Credits:

  • Wayne Fidler
  • Bill Peterman
  • Kyle Loucks
  • Dave Emma