# Southern Cricket Frog (*Acris gryllus*) The Southern Cricket Frog is a small, lively frog that loves to hop around. They make a funny sound that sounds like a cricket, especially during warm days and nights. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Southern Cricket Frog](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Acris_gryllusPCCA20060423-3554B.jpg&width=800) Photo: Patrick Coin ( Patrick Coin ), CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acris_gryllusPCCA20060423-3554B.jpg) ## Appearance The Southern Cricket Frog is a tiny amphibian, typically green, brown, or gray, with rough, warty skin. It often has a distinct dark triangle mark between its eyes and dark stripes on its legs, making it visually distinct from smooth-skinned frogs. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Hylidae - **Genus:** Acris ## Interesting facts - Look for a dark triangle mark often between their eyes, a secret symbol! - The Southern Cricket Frog is one of the smallest frogs in North America! - Their chirping call sounds exactly like crickets rubbing their legs together! - These tiny frogs can lay hundreds of eggs in a single breeding season! ## Special abilities - **Leaping Acrobat:** Southern Cricket Frog can jump up to 6 feet, about 60 times its body length, to escape danger quickly. - **Vocal Virtuoso:** Southern Cricket Frog has a distinct call, sounding like crickets clicking, that helps them find mates. - **Color Chameleon:** Southern Cricket Frog can change its skin color (green, brown, or gray) to perfectly blend into its surroundings. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 1.5-3.8 cm - **Weight:** 0.002-0.008 kg - **Lifespan:** 1-2 years - **Speed:** 0.5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 200-400 - **Metamorphosis:** 45-90 days ## Diet & Feeding These tiny frogs gobble up small insects, spiders, and other tiny creatures they find nearby. - **Age differences:** Tadpoles eat algae and detritus; adults are insectivores. - **Primary Foods:** Small beetles, Ants, Spiders, Flies, Mites - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — Common Garter Snakes prey on these small frogs. - **Eaten by:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Lithobates catesbeianus*) — Larger bullfrogs frequently ambush smaller cricket frogs. - **Eaten by:** [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) — Great Egrets stalk shallow water to catch frogs. - **Hunts:** [Fruit Fly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fruit-fly) (*Drosophila melanogaster*) — Southern Cricket Frogs hunt small fruit flies. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [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. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch where you step when near water to protect frogs and other animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Southern 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 Southern Cricket Frog? 1.5-3.8 cm ### How much does Southern Cricket Frog weigh? 0.002-0.008 kg ### How long does Southern Cricket Frog live? 1-2 years ### How fast can Southern Cricket Frog move? 0.5 km/h ### What does Southern Cricket Frog eat? These tiny frogs gobble up small insects, spiders, and other tiny creatures they find nearby. ### Where is Southern Cricket Frog usually found? Wetlands ### How does Southern Cricket Frog hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Savannah–Ogeechee Canal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/savannah-ogeechee-canal) — Georgia, US · Historic Site - [Shark River Slough Archeological District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shark-river-slough-archeological-district) — Florida, US · Historic District - [Bottle Creek Indian Mounds](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bottle-creek-indian-mounds) — Alabama, US · Historic Site - [Dead Lakes Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dead-lakes-park) — Florida, US · Park - [Rock Springs Run State Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rock-springs-run-state-reserve) — Florida, US · State Park - [Singletary Lake State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/singletary-lake-state-park) — North Carolina, US · State Park [View all places to see Southern Cricket Frog](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/southern-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: [Southern Cricket Frog: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/southern-cricket-frog)