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Pseudacris crucifer bartramiana

(Southern Spring Peeper)

Overview

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The Spring Peeper, like other Chorus Frogs , is a small animal attaining an adult length of only a little over an inch long. A characteristic of the Spring Peeper is the dorsal marks that form an X on the back. It usually isn't a perfect X, but some form of it. The general coloration is a variation of brown, gray, or green. Like many of the Chorus Frogs, the Spring Peeper is often heard, but not seen. It gets its name from its from its call , which consists of a single clear note or peep. There are two subspecies of the Spring Peeper; the Northern Spring Peeper, P. c. crucifer, and the Southern Spring Peeper (not shown), P. c. bartramiana. The Southern Spring Peeper is virtually identical to the Northern species, except for the belly, which has strong , dark markings on it. The belly of the N. Spring Peeper is visually plain .

Interesting Facts

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Common Names

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Common Names in English:

Southern Spring Peeper, Spring Peeper

Description

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Physical Description

Species Pseudacris crucifer bartramiana

Size: A small frog 1.9 - 3.2 cm (3/4 to 1 1/4 in) in length . Color: Its skin ranges from yellow, through olive, gray, and brown. The only obvious distinguishing feature is the dark "X" on its back. Other things to look for: The Spring Peeper has large toe pads .

Habitat

It is found in wooded areas and does well in secondary growth with abundant brushy vegetation. It is found around temporary and permanent ponds , swamps , marshes, and other wetland areas.

Biology

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Diet

Eats insects.

Reproduction

Spring Peepers breed from December through April. The female lays up to 900 eggs in shallow water with aquatic vegetation. Eggs hatch in a week or two. Transformation to tiny frogs takes three to four months.

Behavior

This is a nocturnal frog , and one of the first to start calling in the winter.

Taxonomy

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Synonyms

Hyla crucifer bartramiana Harper • Hyla crucifer crucifer (Wied-Neuwied

Notes

Name Status: Accepted Name . Latest taxonomic scrutiny: June 11, 2001.

Similar Species

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The Spring Peeper is easily distinguished by the dark "X" on its back and lack of any additional distinct stripes, spots, or mottled patterns.

Members of the genus Pseudacris

ZipcodeZoo has pages for 30 species and subspecies in this genus:

P. brachyphona (Mountain Chorus Frog) · P. brimleyi (Brimley's Chorus Frog) · P. cadaverina (California Chorus Frog) · P. clarkii (Spotted Chorus Frog) · P. crucifer (Northern Spring Peeper) · P. crucifer bartramiana (Southern Spring Peeper) · P. crucifer crucifer (Northern Spring Peeper) · P. feriarum (Southeastern Chorus Frog) · P. feriarum feriarum (Upland Chorus Frog) · P. feriarum kalmi (New Jersey Chorus Frog) · P. fouquettei (Cajun Chorus Frog) · P. hypochondriaca (Northern Baja California Treefrog) · P. illinoensis (Illinois Chorus Frog) · P. illinoensis illinoensis (Illinois Chorus Frog) · P. kalmi (New Jersey Chorus Frog) · P. maculata (Boreal Chorus Frog) · P. nigrita (Swamp Tree Frog) · P. nigrita nigrita (Southern Chorus Frog) · P. ocularis (Black-Spotted Tree Frog) · P. ornata (Ornate Chorus Frog) · P. regilla (Pacific Chorus Frog) · P. sierra (Sierran Treefrog) · P. streckeri (Strecker's Chorus Frog) · P. streckeri illinoensis (Illinois Chorus Frog) · P. streckeri streckeri (Strecker's Chorus Frog) · P. triseriata (Western Chorus Frog) · P. triseriata feriarum (Striped Chorus Frog) · P. triseriata kalmi (Striped Chorus Frog) · P. triseriata maculata (Boreal Chorus Frog) · P. triseriata triseriata (Western Chorus Frog)

More Info

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Further Reading

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Notes

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Contributors

Identifiers

Last Revised: 2012-07-18