Northern Spring Peeper

Description:

The Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifier crucifier) is a small chorus frog widespread throughout the eastern USA and Canada. There are two subspecies of the Spring Peeper, the Northern (P. c. crucifer) and the Southern Spring Peeper (P. c. bartramiana). The Northern is similar to the Southern except for a strong dark marking on the Southern frog's belly. The Southern (P. c. bartramiana) is limited to northern Florida and southern Georgia, while the northern can be found all over the eastern USA and eastern Canada. On Martha's Vineyard, peepers are commonly called "pinkletinks"; in New Brunswick, Canada, they are sometimes called "tinkletoes", although not commonly known by that name, and usually referred to as simply "peepers". On Nova Scotia's South Shore, they are sometimes referred to as "pink-winks." Spring Peepers are tan or brown in color with a dark cross that roughly forms an X on their dorsa (thus the Latin name crucifer, meaning cross-bearer), though sometimes the marking may be indistinct. They have a body length between less than an 1 inch (25 mm) to 1.5 inches (38 mm) and a weight between 0.11 ounces (3.1 g) to 0.18 ounces (5.1 g). The species have large toe pads for climbing, although they are more at home amid the loose debris of the forest floor. The color variations of the P. crucifer are mostly tan, brown, olive green, and gray. Females are lighter-colored, while males are slightly smaller and usually have dark throats. This frog has a vocal sac located by its throat, which expands and deflates like a balloon to create a short and distinct peeping sound. Only males have the ability to make this loud high-pitched noise, and they use it to attract mates. Spring Peepers primarily live in forests and regenerating woodlands near ephemeral or semi-permanent wetlands.The amphibious species require marshes, ponds, or swamp regions in order to support the aquatic environment the eggs and tadpoles need. In the northern reaches of their range, Spring Peepers must frequently endure occasional periods of subfreezing temperatures during the breeding season. The species can tolerate freezing of some of its body fluids, and undergoes hibernation under logs or behind loose bark on trees. It is capable of surviving temperatures as low as -8°C. This species frequently occurs in breeding aggregations of several hundred individuals, and commonly breeds in many small wetlands, including swamps, temporary pools and disturbed habitats such as farm ponds and borrow pits.

Habitat:

Spring Peepers primarily live in forests and regenerating woodlands near ephemeral or semi-permanent wetlands.The amphibious species require marshes, ponds, or swamp regions in order to support the aquatic environment the eggs and tadpoles need. In the northern reaches of their range, Spring Peepers must frequently endure occasional periods of subfreezing temperatures during the breeding season. The species can tolerate freezing of some of its body fluids, and undergoes hibernation under logs or behind loose bark on trees. It is capable of surviving temperatures as low as -8°C. This species frequently occurs in breeding aggregations of several hundred individuals, and commonly breeds in many small wetlands, including swamps, temporary pools and disturbed habitats such as farm ponds and borrow pits.

Notes:

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_sp... ***Found on back of hydrangea leaf, about 3/4 inch tall.