Northern Cricket Frog
Description
5/8-1 ½” (1.6-3.8cm). Dark triangle between eyes. Somewhat warty with dark stripe on rear surface of thigh. May have green or reddish stripe on back. Slightly blunt snout, relatively short legs, heavy webbing of hind foot reaching tip of first toe and next to last joint on longest toe. Vocal pouch on males is yellowish. Diurnal.
Call Description
Gick-gick-gick. Like two steel balls, or marbles, clicked together, slowly at first, and then faster. Continues for 20-30 or more beats. Full chorus sounds like sleigh bells. Males call day and night.
Indiana Range
Almost statewide. Rare in northern quarter of state.
Diet
Aquatic larvae, insects.
Habitat
Vegetated shorelines of reasonably permanent wetlands including ponds, lakes, gravel pits, rivers, and creeks.
Breeding Habitat
Quiet, reasonably permanent wetlands and streams with abundant emergent vegetation.
Breeding Season
Mid-April to late July. Can be heard after thunderstorms even after the calling season is over.
Eggs
Attached to submergent vegetation or other submerged objects. Clusters of 200-400 eggs singly or in small clusters. Hatch within a few days.
Tadpoles
Identified easily by dark tail tip. Metamorphosis occurs mid July–Sept. Mature within one year.
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