Spring Peeper – a lyrical name for a wonderful little singer in the woods at this time of year. Most often heard in the late evening or through the night, these small frogs have some interesting traits.
They are hard to find due to their small size, 20mm-25mm or .8″-1″ when fully grown. A little large than an adult’s thumbnail! And their coloration provides wonderful camouflage from shades of brown, gray or olive skin. The belly is cream or white, and the back is marked with a dark cross as well as darker bands marking the legs.
Spring Peepers are native to our area and can be found in marshy areas or light woods near freshwater ponds. They are good climbers but prefer to stay near the ground, burrowing into leaf litter whenever it is available. At this time of year, larger populations can be found near their preferred breeding habitat which is clear, clean freshwater ponds with no fish.
Peepers breed in early spring time when males start to call for females in the early evening and on into early morning. Only the males call. And their call is a high pitched note which can be heard for several hundred yards in the woods. And they are loud! It is near impossible to have a conversation between two people when standing on the edge of a pond where a chorus of 8 or more of these tiny frogs are singing. Click on the attached audio file to listen.
As you are out walking this spring, take a moment to stop by your favorite pond and listen closely for the sounds of spring.
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