Northern Spring Peeper
These tiny frogs are considered to be harbingers of spring. However, it was autumn in Connecticut when I spotted it, which means this frog was most likely getting ready to seek shelter in an underground burrow or in leaf litter where it 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. Physically, this frog had very light tan skin with slightly darker markings, including a distinctive X-shaped mark on its back. They can darken or lighten their skin color to better camouflage themselves in only a few minutes. This one was only about 1.5cm long.
The spring peeper is a small chorus frog widespread throughout the eastern United States and Canada. They are so called because of their chirping call that marks the beginning of spring.
