Eastern Cricket Frog
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amphibian  ·  frog

Eastern Cricket Frog

Acris crepitans — Hylidae

0.6–1.4 inches

IUCN
Least Concern
Federal (US)
None
Virginia
None
VWAP Tier
Not Listed
Habitat
semi-aquaticwetlandgrassland
Found in Virginia
Statewide

How to identify

  • Very small, 0.6–1.4 inches
  • Warty skin despite being a treefrog
  • Highly variable coloration — green, brown, gray, or reddish with dark markings
  • Dark triangular marking between the eyes
  • Ragged Y-shaped stripe on back in many individuals

About this species

Despite being a member of the treefrog family, cricket frogs spend most of their time on the ground near water and have reduced toe pads. They are tiny, warty-skinned frogs that superficially resemble small toads. They are one of Virginia's most abundant frogs and their clicking 'gick gick gick' call is a common summer sound near ponds and streams.

Often confused with

Did you know

"Cricket frogs can leap over three feet in a single bound — more than 40 times their own body length — making them one of the most impressive leapers relative to body size in the animal kingdom."

Sightings & citizen science

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View Eastern Cricket Frog observations on iNaturalist ↗
Found one injured?

If you've found an injured or displaced Eastern Cricket Frog in Virginia, our triage guide walks you through what to do.

Triage guide →