Eastern Cricket Frog

Acris crepitans

Description

The eastern, or northern, cricket frog is one of the smaller species found throughout the state. They are commonly heard calling “crick crick crick” like two marbles clacking together. Patterns on cricket frogs are highly variable, including colors such as green, orange, brown, and gray.

Eastern Cricket Frog from Jefferson Par. (LA), © Matt Chatfield, PhD

Identifying Traits

  • Small, usually with triangular marking on head
  • Thigh markings more ragged, often a single mark (separates from southern cricket frog)
  • Legs shorter, feet often with more webbing than A. gryllus (Peterson et al., 2016)
Range

Habitat

Nearly any fresh body of water

Diet

Various small invertebrates

Eastern Cricket Frog, Orleans Par. (LA), © Matthew Chatfield, PhD
Chunky green Eastern Cricket Frog, Orleans Par. (LA), © Matthew Chatfield, PhD