A tiny frog with a dark cross
The spring peeper is a thumbnail-sized frog with a dark X-shaped mark on its back. It is far more often heard than seen, hiding in leaf litter and low vegetation.
One of spring’s first sounds
Males gather at fishless ponds in early spring and call with a clear, high-pitched peep. A single frog may call hundreds of times in a night, and a chorus can be deafening. The call attracts females, and a throat sac that inflates like a bubble amplifies the sound.
A sign of healthy wetlands
Peepers rely on seasonal ponds that dry out in summer, which keeps out fish that would eat their tadpoles. Draining small wetlands removes this habitat, so protecting them is important.
Listen
What it sounds like: A high, clear single “peep” repeated by thousands in chorus.
To hear independent recordings, try Freesound. Check each recording’s licence before reusing it. See Media & Sources.
Conservation status follows the IUCN Red List as we understand it at the time of writing. Assessments are revised regularly, so please check the IUCN Red List for the current listing.