Blanchard's Cricket Frogs: up close and personal (video)

Three Blanchard's Cricket Frogs at the Homer Lake Wetland, May 10, 2021

As in the photo above, the Blanchard's cricket frog (Acris blanchardi) can occur in abundance in a favorable habitat.  At less than an inch to an inch and a half in size and with a lifespan of under two years -- rarely does an individual Blanchard's cricket frog see more than one breeding season -- this is quite an accomplishment. Although seemingly abundant in Central Illinois, further north there has been concern over a steep decline in their populations.

This year the cricket frogs began appearing at the wetland by April 6 and could be heard occasionally calling soon thereafter, but calling in earnest has been more recent. If you've ever been walking along a lake, pond or river and noticed small frogs jumping into the water and immediately jumping or swimming straight back to shore, those would be these guys. Unlike many of the frogs that breed at the wetland, Blanchard's cricket frogs will breed in fish-filled waters. This immediate return to shore is no doubt part of a coping strategy to avoid becoming a bite-sized fish food morsel.

The video below begins with a chorus of cricket frogs with the featured individual joining in followed by leg displays. The extension and various movements of the back legs are a visual display by these frogs that is still being researched (see the first link below for more information).

Later in the clip, when our frog is joined by another male Blanchard's cricket frog, he jumps on it and stretches his legs some more. The second frog moves away, and the first one jumps on it again and then they both proceed to stretch their legs. Although it looks like they might have cramps and just need to stretch, clearly what they are doing is meaningful to them. You may not want to watch the whole five minutes but I found it fascinating. Spoiler alert: after the intruder jumps on the first frog followed by some more leg waving, the intruder gives up and goes away.

Note the very different markings on the backs of these two frogs. Blanchard's cricket frogs often (but not always) have these patterns ranging from lime green to reddish to rust color on their backs.

Blanchard's Cricket Frogs: Calling and Leg Displays


Resources to learn more about Blanchard's Cricket frogs:

They can jump more than three feet. This would be like a six foot person jumping 2

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