# Blanchard's Cricket Frog (*Acris blanchardi*) Blanchard's Cricket Frog is a small, lively frog that loves to jump around! They are known for their cheerful calls that sound like crickets. These frogs are great at blending in with their surroundings. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 15 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Blanchard's Cricket Frog](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Acris_blanchardi_363277401.jpg&width=800) Photo: Brady Reed, CC0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acris_blanchardi_363277401.jpg) ## Appearance The Blanchard's Cricket Frog is a tiny amphibian, typically brown or grey, often with green or reddish markings and a distinctive dark triangular spot between its eyes. Its warty skin and long, slender legs are characteristic, making it look different from smoother, broader frogs. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Hylidae - **Genus:** Acris ## Interesting facts - Blanchard's Cricket Frogs can hibernate underground or under logs to survive cold winters! - Their rough, warty skin helps them absorb water directly; they don't need to drink! - These tiny frogs have eyes placed on top of their head, giving them a wide view! - Unlike many frogs, the males do not have an external vocal sac, yet still chirp loudly! ## Special abilities - **Super Jumper:** Blanchard's Cricket Frog can leap many times its body length because of its powerful hind legs, helping them escape danger quickly. - **Master of Disguise:** Blanchard's Cricket Frog can change its skin color to blend into its surroundings, helping them hide from predators. - **Cricket Mimic:** Blanchard's Cricket Frog makes unique chirping calls that sound just like crickets, helping them attract mates. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 1.5-3.8 cm - **Weight:** 0.002-0.005 kg - **Lifespan:** 1-4 years - **Clutch Size:** 100-500 - **Metamorphosis:** 40-90 days ## Diet & Feeding These tiny hunters gobble up all sorts of small insects and other invertebrates from land and water. - **Age differences:** Tadpoles primarily feed on algae and detritus, while adults are exclusively carnivorous. - **Primary Foods:** crickets, spiders, flies, small beetles, ants - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Bullfrog (*Lithobates catesbeianus*) — Large bullfrogs prey on juvenile cricket frogs. - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — Garter snakes are common predators of these small amphibians. - **Eaten by:** [Great Blue Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-blue-heron) (*Ardea herodias*) — Herons hunt small frogs near water's edge. - **Eats:** Great Diving Beetle (*Dytiscus marginalis*) — Adult diving beetles and their larvae can prey on tadpoles. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch where you step near water, as frogs can be slippery and quick! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Blanchard's Cricket Frog? Check the toe pads, leg length, eye markings, back pattern and body shape. Don't lean on color: some frogs change shade to match their surroundings. Frog Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Blanchard's Cricket Frog? 1.5-3.8 cm ### How much does Blanchard's Cricket Frog weigh? 0.002-0.005 kg ### How long does Blanchard's Cricket Frog live? 1-4 years ### What does Blanchard's Cricket Frog eat? These tiny hunters gobble up all sorts of small insects and other invertebrates from land and water. ### Where is Blanchard's Cricket Frog usually found? Wetlands ### How does Blanchard's Cricket Frog hunt? Ambush ### How many eggs does Blanchard's Cricket Frog lay? 100-500 ## Where to spot - [Bellefontaine Cemetery](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bellefontaine-cemetery) — Missouri, US · Botanical Garden - [Chatham Arch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chatham-arch) — Indiana, US · Neighborhood - [Marked Tree Lock and Siphons](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/marked-tree-lock-and-siphons) — Arkansas, US · Historic Site - [David Traylor Zoo of Emporia](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/david-traylor-zoo-of-emporia) — Kansas, US · Zoo - [Frank Buck Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/frank-buck-zoo) — Texas, US · Zoo - [August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/august-a-busch-memorial-conservation-area) — Missouri, US · Nature Reserve [View all places to see Blanchard's Cricket Frog](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/blanchards-cricket-frog) ## More Amphibians - [Eastern Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon cinereus*) - [California Slender Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-slender-salamander) (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*) - [Cuban Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cuban-tree-frog) (*Osteopilus septentrionalis*) - [European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad) (*Bufo bufo*) --- Source: [Blanchard's Cricket Frog: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blanchards-cricket-frog)