Amphibians diurnal

Northern Cricket Frog

Acris crepitans

The Northern Cricket Frog is a pint-sized powerhouse of the wetlands, famous for its marble-like clicking call and incredible three-foot leaps. Though it belongs to the tree frog family, this master of camouflage prefers to keep its feet firmly on the muddy banks of sunlit ponds.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Small and stocky, ranging from 0.6 to 1.5 inches (1.6 to 3.8 cm) in length.

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Colors

Variably colored in shades of grey, green, or brown with irregular blotching. Most individuals feature a bright green, red, or brown stripe down the spine and a dark triangular mark on the head.

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Key Features

Dark triangular marking on the top of the head between the eyes
Extremely long hind legs capable of leaps over 3 feet
Warty, sandpaper-like skin texture
Dark, ragged longitudinal stripe on the back of the thigh

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM for basking; dusk for peak vocalization

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Season April–August

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Diet Insectivorous, feeding on a wide variety of small invertebrates including ants, beetles, spiders, midges, and mosquitoes along the water's edge.

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Habitat Edges of permanent, sunny bodies of water such as ponds, marshes, and slow-moving streams with abundant shoreline vegetation.

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Behavior

Despite being part of the tree frog family (Hylidae), Northern Cricket Frogs are not climbers. They are strictly terrestrial and semi-aquatic, spending almost all their time on the muddy banks of permanent water sources. They are exceptionally athletic; when startled, they perform a series of erratic, zigzagging jumps to reach the safety of the water, where they are also proficient swimmers.

These frogs are primarily diurnal, meaning they are most active during the daylight hours when they can be seen basking in the sun to regulate their temperature. They are social creatures, often gathering in large numbers along shorelines. Their presence is most easily detected by their unique call—a series of sharp clicks that sound like two pebbles or marbles being struck together, starting slowly and increasing in tempo.

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Camera Tips

Capturing a Northern Cricket Frog on camera requires a specialized setup due to their diminutive size and ground-level lifestyle. Position your camera extremely low—no more than 3 to 5 inches off the ground. Aim the lens at a flat, sun-exposed 'micro-habitat' like a muddy bank or a flat rock at the water's edge. These frogs love to bask in the sun to stay warm, so identify the spots that receive the most midday light to maximize your chances of a clear shot.

Because these frogs are small and fast, standard motion triggers can sometimes be too slow. If your camera allows, use a high-sensitivity setting and a short trigger interval. Enabling a 'Pre-Trigger' or 'Burst Mode' is highly recommended; cricket frogs are famous for their explosive leaps, and a single photo might only capture a blur. A burst of 3-5 images increases the likelihood of catching them in mid-air or mid-call when their vocal sac is fully extended.

To draw them into your camera’s field of view, try creating an 'ideal' basking spot. Clear a small 12-inch patch of debris to reveal bare mud, or place a flat, dark stone near the water. Avoid using artificial lures or food; instead, focus on habitat. If you have a backyard pond, placing the camera near low-hanging sedges or grasses will capture them as they emerge from cover. Since they are diurnal, you won't need heavy infrared flash during the day, but a camera with a good macro-focusing capability will help reveal the intricate 'marble' patterns on their skin.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Northern Cricket Frog.

Southern Cricket Frog

The Southern variety typically has a more pointed snout and the dark stripe on the back of the thigh is more defined and less ragged.

Spring Peeper

Lacks the warty skin and head triangle; features a prominent dark 'X' pattern on the back.

Blanchard's Cricket Frog

Often considered a subspecies; it is generally larger and has a more limited range in the central United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

Unlike many other frogs, Northern Cricket Frogs are primarily diurnal, meaning they are most active during the day. You will often see them basking in the sun on muddy banks from mid-morning through late afternoon, though they will continue to call into the evening during the breeding season.

The best way to attract Northern Cricket Frogs is to provide a permanent water source like a garden pond with gently sloping, muddy edges. They avoid deep, fast-moving water and prefer sunny spots with plenty of shoreline vegetation like sedges and rushes where they can hide from predators.

They are insectivores that act as excellent natural pest control. Their diet consists of small terrestrial and aquatic insects, including mosquitoes, gnats, ants, beetles, and small spiders found along the water's edge.

Yes, they can be common in suburban areas provided there is a clean, permanent water source nearby. However, they are sensitive to water pollution and habitat fragmentation, so their presence is often a good indicator of a healthy local ecosystem.

While both are small, the Northern Cricket Frog has warty, bumpy skin and a dark triangle between its eyes. Spring Peepers have smoother skin and a very distinct dark 'X' mark on their backs. Additionally, their calls are completely different: the Cricket Frog clicks like marbles, while the Peeper emits a high-pitched whistle.

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