There are many telltale signs that spring is upon us, like sprouting flowers, longer days, and greener grass. But there’s one certainty you can bet on to know when springtime is rolling in, and that’s the sound of spring peepers.
Although these small amphibians are hard to spot, you won’t miss the sound of their sleigh-bell-like sound radiating through swampy areas.
I bet you’re wondering, what makes these little guys peep?
Well, we’ve got the information for you and have included some fun facts for these little guys who pack such a big sound.
Spring peepers can be heard at Audubon’s Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge this morning, just in time for World Wildlife Day! Have you heard them yet?
Posted by Audubon Society of Rhode Island on Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Where can you find them?
If you live anywhere near any wooded area or grassy lowland, in the central and eastern parts of Canada and the United States, you’re probably familiar with spring peepers (Pseudacris crucifer).
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These frogs are quite small and only grow to about 1.5 inches.
They are tan and brown and have a unique formation of dark lines that create an X on their backs, which makes them easily identifiable. Coming out at night to avoid predators, they feed on tiny insects like ants, flies, and spiders.
Have you heard any Spring Peepers yet!? The faint chirps mean spring is finally here! If you haven’t seen or heard them…
Posted by Columbia Land Conservancy on Thursday, March 28, 2019
These frogs aren’t the only noisemakers.
Spring peepers aren’t the only chirping frogs singing around North America. Although they are the most famous and well-known chirping frog, they belong to a unique group of frogs known as, “chorus frogs” (Pseudacris).
Among this group are also western and boreal frogs. These frogs are native to the areas between Ohio and Arizona, and north into Central Canada.
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Well, what makes them different from a regular frog?
Chorus frogs each have their own distinct chirp that makes them identifiable. You just have to listen to their noise. Spring peepers sound just like its name, one high single peep alone.
Although, if a lot of peepers are around, it sounds like tinkling bells. Boreal chorus frogs have a raspy chirp and often compared to the sound of running a fingernail over a fine-tooth comb. While western chorus frogs make high-pitched creaking sounds.
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Why do they peep?
These nocturnal beings don’t come out to peep on warm spring nights for no reason. This nighttime chorus is actually marking indicative of their mating season.
The peeps are actually the males mating call, singing as loud as they can to increase their chances of a female suitor. After they mate, the females lay their eggs underwater and hatch in about two weeks.
Spring peepers are no bigger than your thumbnail, but they sure have a mighty call! Will they start calling with the warmer weather this week?
Photo: Spring Peeper courtesy of Dave Huth
Posted by Necedah National Wildlife Refuge on Wednesday, April 13, 2016
What’s with the bubble chin?
Even though these frogs are super tiny, there’s a chance you might just spot them. If you’re lucky enough to catch them peeping, you’ll see this strange bubble forming underneath the frog’s mouth. This isn’t native to the spring peepers as many also puff their throats.
This bubble is their vocal sac. In order to achieve their special sound, they squeeze their lungs while keeping their nostrils and mouth closed. This results in the vocal sac inflating similar to a balloon. The sound actually comes from the air leaving the lungs, which pass through the vocal cords into the vocal sac.
They may be small, but spring peepers make up a mighty chorus! Since tomorrow is the first official day of spring, we…
Posted by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Thursday, March 19, 2015
What happens in the winter?
After the mating season, they return to the forest to prepare to hibernate during the winter. They are very tolerant of cold conditions and can actually withstand freezing during the winter.
Spring peepers are among the five species of frogs within North American that can actually survive being frozen along with their close family member, the western chorus frog.
As it gets colder, they produce a natural “antifreeze” in their blood to preserve their organs. Their bodies can freeze up to 70% to where the heart can stop pumping and they actually appear to be dead.
Despite that, these frogs still wake up again, which to this boggles the minds of scientists to explain this process.
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Springtime is upon us! There’s no other way to better celebrate the season change, like listening to spring peepers during a warm evening.
Wonder what they sound like? Listen to a chorus of spring peepers below.
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