# Northern Cricket Frog (*Acris crepitans*) The Northern Cricket Frog is a small, lively frog that loves to hop around. It has a unique sound that sounds like a cricket, which is how it got its name! - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 11 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Northern Cricket Frog](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Cricket_frog_%28Acris_crepitans%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: brian.gratwicke, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cricket_frog_%28Acris_crepitans%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Northern Cricket Frog is a small amphibian, typically gray, brown, or green, often with a dark triangle between its eyes. It has a warty skin texture and a pointed snout, which helps it blend into its marshy environment. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Hylidae - **Genus:** Acris ## Interesting facts - Did you know a group of frogs is actually called an "army"? - It is one of the smallest frogs in all of North America! - Their loud calls can be heard over a mile away, even from tiny frogs! - These frogs lay their tiny eggs one by one on underwater plants. ## Special abilities - **Color Shifter:** Northern Cricket Frog has special skin cells that allow it to subtly change color, helping it perfectly disappear into its environment. - **Cricket Song:** Northern Cricket Frog can make a clicking call that sounds like crickets, which helps male frogs attract a mate from far away. - **Sticky Tongue:** Northern Cricket Frog has a long, sticky tongue that helps it quickly snatch flying insects right out of the air. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 1.5-3.8 cm - **Weight:** 0.001-0.005 kg - **Lifespan:** 1-4 years - **Speed:** 5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 150-2000 - **Metamorphosis:** 60-120 days ## Diet & Feeding These tiny frogs are expert hunters, feasting on small insects and other invertebrates they catch. - **Age differences:** Tadpoles eat algae; adults switch to insects. - **Primary Foods:** flies, mosquitoes, small crickets, spiders, ants - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Lithobates catesbeianus*) — A larger frog predator in its habitat. - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — Often hunts near water bodies where frogs live. - **Eaten by:** [Great Blue Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-blue-heron) (*Ardea herodias*) — Wades in shallow water, preying on small aquatic life. - **Eats:** Common House Mosquito (*Culex pipiens*) — A common flying insect, part of its main diet. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [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. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch where you step near water to keep frogs safe! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Northern 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 Northern Cricket Frog? 1.5-3.8 cm ### How much does Northern Cricket Frog weigh? 0.001-0.005 kg ### How long does Northern Cricket Frog live? 1-4 years ### How fast can Northern Cricket Frog move? 5 km/h ### What does Northern Cricket Frog eat? These tiny frogs are expert hunters, feasting on small insects and other invertebrates they catch. ### Where is Northern Cricket Frog usually found? Wetlands ### How does Northern Cricket Frog hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Blackbird State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/blackbird-state-forest) — Delaware, US · Forest - [Cedarville State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cedarville-state-forest) — Maryland, US · Forest - [Chantilly Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chantilly-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Elk Neck State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/elk-neck-state-park) — Maryland, US · State Park - [Blackstone Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/blackstone-historic-district) — Virginia, US · Historic District - [Buckingham Female Collegiate Institute Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/buckingham-female-collegiate-institute-historic-district) — Virginia, US · Historic District [View all places to see Northern Cricket Frog](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/northern-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: [Northern Cricket Frog: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-cricket-frog)