Blanchard's Cricket Frog
Acris blanchardi
What it is
Blanchard's cricket frog (Acris blanchardi) is a species of frog in the family Hylidae. It is a small, dark colored frog that is threatened or endangered in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Studies have been done to see why the population of the frog is beginning to decrease in those states. Blanchard's cricket frogs are commonly found in wetlands, ponds, and/or near row crop agriculture. The average life span for this frog is about one year, which...
Where and when to find it
- Habitat
- You can find them in the central United States, usually near ponds, marshes, and slow-moving streams.
- How to find it
- Look for them along the edges of water. Listen for their click-click-click call, especially at night. They are very small and can be hard to spot!
- Best time of day
- Spring and summer evenings are best for hearing their calls.
How it lives
- What it eats
- Small insects and other tiny invertebrates.
- What eats it
- Snakes, wading birds, larger frogs, and fish.
Worth knowing
- They can change their color a little bit to match their surroundings.
- The females are usually a bit bigger than the males.
- They are one of the smallest frog species in North America.
- Their skin can be bumpy or smooth.
- They can live for about 1-2 years.
- Scientists can tell individual frogs apart by their calls sometimes.
Why it matters
Blanchard's Cricket Frogs help control insect populations. They are also an important food source for many animals.