Northern Spring Peeper - Pseudacris crucifer crucifer

This frog had tan skin with 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. It was about 2 cm long.

Spotted on rotting wood in a mixed forest.

comments (8)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Spectacular capture of a gorgeous species! Posted 7 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks... When I spotted it, it was flat on the wood and hard to see. But, once it saw me, it stuck out it’s left foot (see 2nd photo) as if it was trying to decide if I was a threat and it should run away. We sat and watched each other for a few minutes before it relaxed and flattened itself back against the log. Posted 7 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    I once read that when you disturb a natural scene (which is like impossible to avoid completely), it takes about 20 minutes before things get back to normal. In a way that sounds logical, but it means that if you have the patience to stand still and be quiet for that long, you have basically blended into the environment, you're part of it, and not a threat. Posted 7 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      I’m not very patient, but I love to sit on the ground in the woods and wait. When you sit quietly like that - anywhere in nature - you see and notice things that you normally wouldn’t. I spot tiny fungi, insects, etc. Frogs and salamanders walk right past me. It’s incredible to connect with creatures and to just observe each other. Some freak out and immediately run off, but others will stay and eventually seem to get comfortable with my presence. Posted 7 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        True, sometimes after a few mins I notice a huge spider right next to my head, somehow completely missed before. I think it's similar to eyes needing time to get used to the dark, they need time to get used to focusing closely. Posted 7 years ago
      2. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Exactly. Posted 7 years ago

Flown Kimmerling

Lion

Cutie pie! Posted 7 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks Lisa :) Posted 7 years ago

The Spring peeper

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.

Info 26 0

Similar species: Frogs

Species identified by Christine Young