Northern Cricket Frog

Beginning in mid-May and lasting up until the end of July anyone hiking the Trail near streams or lakes from Georgia  to the southern boundary of New England may be rewarded with hearing one of the smallest and probably least well known amphibians in the eastern portion of the country—the Northern Cricket Frog (Acris crepitans). Although, most individuals who have the unique call fall upon their ears probably misidentify it as its namesake. Cricket frogs really do not sound like frogs at all. Their calls more resemble a low pitched cricket in both sound and duration. The best description that can be rendered as to what they sound like has been described as two pebbles being clicked together, and in a manner that is similar to an insect chorus. Furthermore, their diminutive size also lends itself to the aptness of the name. This species will rarely exceed one inch in length. Their appearance is also highly variable and two individuals found in the same location may superficially resemble separate species. Body coloration ranges from almost completely black to light brown or green, and many will possess vibrant stripes of red or green dorsally. Males during the mating season will also frequently be found with yellow patches on the throat. In short, they are the hidden gems of shallow watery environs.

Northern cricket frogs can be found in relatively stable numbers in the southern states, but in an ironic twist, they are actually becoming quite rare in the northern portion of their range and in many states have been placed on the threatened or endangered species list. The causes for this are many, but in some cases it is still a bit of a mystery as to their rapid decline, as no noticeable physical problems or habitat change can be seen in certain locations. Most cricket frogs are very short lived and have an average life expectancy of approximately 4-8 months. Some have been known to survive for up to 5 years, but this seems to be a rarity in the wild. Having such a short lifespan can be problematic as even a short term disturbance to their habitat can wipe them out from an area permanently. Pollution, habitat destruction/alteration, and parasites are the most well known causes for dropping numbers. They are highly susceptible to even minor environmental changes and are known as indicator species because of their lack of tolerance to disturbance and can therefore indicate when a habitat is first starting to cross the threshold to becoming polluted or being degraded by other means.

In New York, their numbers are plummeting, and the few populations that still exist here are in danger of being extirpated from the state within a short period of time. Researchers do not believe the frogs are under fire from the chytrid fungus, which is infecting some individuals in the Southeast and is responsible for killing off droves of other amphibian species worldwide and even leading to extinctions. Habitat destruction plays a small role at best, as most of the lakes these frogs reside at are on protected land. Pollution may be a large factor, but is most likely not the primary cause, as other frog species at these locales are thriving. Whatever the cause, biologists are rapidly seeking solutions to improve conditions for the frogs until hopefully a concrete identification can be rendered for the reason behind the die offs. It’s depressing to note that within the last century 20 of the most significant sites within the state have been lost. Most losses have occurred within the past few decades.

In Sterling Forest the AT passes along the northwest bank of one of the only lakes that still has a large reproducing population in the state. Over the previous summer the Environmental Bureau of NYS Parks teamed up with volunteers to aid in a habitat restoration project at this particular lake. The cricket frog does well in water bodies that are relatively shallow and contain numerous aquatic weeds along the periphery. Previous to the work completed, the banks of the lake were very steep and rocky. The main priority was to extend the banks slightly into the water and give them a more gradual slope so the frogs would have no difficulty coming ashore. Peat moss was also thrown down to fill in the gaps created by large rocks near the shoreline and render the area more hospitable to plant life. As these creatures hibernate during the winter months, the added peat will also serve a dual purpose by providing much needed insulation. Cricket frogs, unlike some other species, are freeze intolerant and are highly susceptible to the cold and must burrow into the earth to avoid it. Invasive plants, such as purple loosestrife, a species that is choking off native plants, was also removed. Officials are hopeful that these improvements can at least marginally stabilize the cricket frog numbers and ensure the state does not completely lose the species in the near future.

Despite the dreary outlook for the cricket frogs there still is cause for hope. Solutions are being actively sought after by researchers to save this species in the north, and volunteer interest is helping to drive both habitat protection and bring increased awareness to this largely unknown matter. It is delightful to hear a northern cricket frog chirp on a warm summer day after completing a long day’s hike. To me, the calls are more pleasant than even the sweetest bird song—it would be a shame to lose them forever and have to sit on a bank to hear only silence.

This article has previously appeared in the May-June issue of A.T. Journeys.