Spring Peepers (video)

Male Spring Peeper calling at the Homer Lake Wetland 3/3/21

If you've been anywhere near the Homer Lake Wetland in the past few days or have occasion to pass by in the near future, you're quite apt to hear a near-deafening high-pitched raucous. This is the sound of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of male frogs competing for female attention. Amazingly, all these decibels come from frogs only about one and a half inches long. 

Currently the predominant species heard is the aptly named spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer*), whose main call is an insistent "peep," though there is a less often heard aggressive variation that has more of a brief trill to it. These little critters spend their lives off in the woods but like most, if not all other frog species, require water for breeding. They get a jump on things (sorry) by starting as early in the spring as the weather allows, which is still surprisingly chilly considering the fact that they do not generate their own body heat like we do. Today was in the low 60's, but they were also calling earlier in the week in the low 50's. 

We should have occasion to follow more of the spring peeper story in the days and weeks ahead along with other frog residents and visitors to the wetland, but to round out this post, here is a short video compilation of the current experience at the wetland, including some soloists and a brief skirmish between two males at the end (39 seconds).


* I include scientific names at times to assist anyone who would like to look up additional information.







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