There are unmistakable signs that spring has finally sprung—flowers are blooming, the return of red clothing, and the unique sound of spring peepers. If you live anywhere east of the Mississippi River, you're probably very familiar with the sleigh bell-like sound of hundreds of these frogs chirping around marshy areas. But why are they peeking? And are they the only frogs that sing all night long? Here are some interesting facts about this tiny frog with the big sound.
Are Peepers the only noisy frogs?
While spring looks on, pseudacris cruciferous, are the most famous of all the croaking frogs, they are not the only species native to North America. In fact, spring peepers belong to a group of frogs known as “chorus frogs”. Spring peepers live in the eastern half of North America, from northern Florida to Canada. Then there are western and northern chorus frogs that range between Ohio and Arizona, and north into central Canada.
How do you tell the difference between these frogs and normal frogs?
The easiest way is to listen to their chirping. Spring hides make a distinctive noise that can sound a lot like bells when there are lots of peeps around. Western chorus frogs produce a high-pitched croaking sound, and boreal chorus frogs have a harsh chirp that sounds like the noise you make when you run your fingernail over a fine-toothed comb.
Why Peepers Peep?
That nocturnal chorus you hear on warm spring nights is actually a spring peeper mating ritual. Males of this species call out to females, who are attracted to the chirping suitors. After the frogs mate, the females will lay eggs underwater. These eggs hatch in about 12 days.
What's up with Bubble on a Frog's Chin?
If you've ever seen a frog peep, then you've probably noticed the strange bubble that seems to form under the frog's mouth. It's not just spring peepers that can puff out their throats – many frogs can do this – but peepers are more numerous and therefore easier to spot.
This bubble is actually the frog's vocal sac. To make their calls, warblers close their nostrils and mouths and squeeze their lungs, causing the vocal sac in the throat to inflate like a balloon. The whistling sound occurs as air leaves the lungs, passes over the vocal cords and into the vocal sac.
Did you know that Spring Peepers can survive being frozen?
Not all frogs in cold climates burrow deep enough to avoid freezing temperatures in winter. There are actually five species of frogs in North America that can freeze and survive. Two of these frogs are the spring peeper and the Western chorus frog. As temperatures drop below 32 degrees, these frogs begin to produce their own “antifreeze” to help preserve the most basic organs. Up to 70% of the frog's body can freeze, to the point where the heart stops pumping and the frog appears to be dead. Scientists still aren't sure how frozen frogs are able to reawaken, but once thawed and awake, most frogs will go through a period of healing before resuming their normal lives.
Habitat, Diet and Other Froggy Facts
Because chorus frogs need water to lay their eggs, you'll find spring frogs, northern chorus frogs, and western chorus frogs in mostly marshy areas. Peepers are especially fond of wooded wetlands or swampy areas near forested areas because they like to hibernate under tree bark or fallen logs.
Most chorus frogs are quite small — spring and western chorus frogs will grow to a maximum of 1.5 inches, while northern chorus frogs top out at just over an inch. Because of their small size, these frogs feed on small insects such as ants or small beetles.
In terms of appearance, spring peepers are easily identified by a dark X-shaped mark on their back. Other chorus frogs have spotted or striped markings.
Warm weather is almost here! If you have the chance, spend an evening outside listening to the sounds of spring. Among them, you will hear the chirping of these amazing little frogs.
Hear the sounds of the chorus of spring peepers here!