Little Grass Frog - Pseudacris ocularis
Cricket Chirp (coming from wetland)
Description & Identification:
Smallest North American frog, reaching only 0.67" (17mm). Coloration extremely variable; generally, dorsum is light beige with broad, coppery stripes but some individuals may be dark brown or rich tan; dark eye stripe, usually extending along side of body; thin white stripe, above upper lip and below the eye, extending beyond tympanum. Toes are slightly webbed and toe pads are tiny.
Development:
Eggs are light brown above and creamy below; laid in small masses (approximately 100 per mass) attached to emergent vegetation or submerged debris in shallow water; hatch in 2 days or less. Upper side of the tadpoles is dark olive green while the underside is pinkish; yellow to orange tail is long with a central dark stripe and tail fins are clear with large dark spots along the edges. Metamorphose in approximately 10 days.
Habitat & Behaviors:
Commonly found in flooded grassy meadows, wet prairies, or in roadside ditches yet also locates in permanent ponds and cypress heads. Generally found where grasses or sedges are abundant in and around water. Active during the day climbing only among low grassy areas.
Similar Species:
Only young cricket frogs compare to the small size but they usually have a triangular-shaped mark on top of the head between the eyes and dark stripes on rear (inside) of thighs while little grass frogs do not.
Voice Call:
High-pitched chirp like that of a tree cricket; insect-like; may be difficult for some people to hear these scarcely audible, high-pitched chirps; all year but most frequently in March and April. Usually calls at night when the humidity is high or during periods of rain; near the ground at the base of vegetation or several inches above on the stems or leaves.
This frog has been observed at the following locations. Click on the map to view the data.
