Northern Spring Peepers

Description:

Enjoying the view after a satisfying rainstorm! If I hadn't already been lying on the ground, I would not have noticed these frogs at all since they have such amazing camouflage. There were five of them altogether. They weren't very active, but instead just seemed to be relaxing and enjoying their niche in nature.

These frogs had light tan skin with slightly darker markings, including a distinctive X-shaped mark on their backs. They can darken or lighten their skin color to better camouflage themselves in only a few minutes. They were 15-20mm long.

Habitat:

Spotted in a mixed forest after heavy rain. There were five spring peepers within three feet of each other.

Notes:

These tiny frogs are considered to be harbingers of spring. But, since I spotted them in mid-autumn, they were most likely getting ready to seek shelter in underground burrows or in leaf litter where they will spend the winter. They are able to survive being frozen because their bodies produce a natural anti-freeze, which protects them during the frigid winter months.