Amphibian · GBIF taxon 2427610
Blanchard's Cricket Frog
Acris blanchardiAlso known as Cricket Frog
Famous for a clicking call that resembles glass marbles striking together, Blanchard's cricket frog spends its short life along muddy banks and shallow water margins. Despite belonging to the tree frog family, this tiny amphibian rarely climbs, relying instead on powerful hind legs to leap extraordinary distances into the water when startled. Rapid population turnover defines its ecology, with high annual mortality balanced by prolific summer breeding.
AmphibianWetlandJumper
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Mosquitoes
- Midges
- Small spiders
Predators
- Garter snakes
- Herons
- American bullfrogs
ThreatsAgricultural runoff, wetland drainage, habitat fragmentation, and chytrid fungus
HabitatsMuddy margins of ponds, lakes, slow streams, and flooded agricultural fields
Life span1 year
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderAnura
- FamilyHylidae
- GenusAcris
- SpeciesAcris blanchardi
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Recognize this tiny brown or green frog by the distinct dark triangular mark between its eyes and pebbly skin.
- Support conservation
- Observe quietly from shoreline paths without trampling vegetation or wading through delicate breeding pools.
Responsible observation
- Listen for Calls: Search near muddy shorelines in late spring when males produce distinct marble-clicking sounds.
- Watch Your Step: Walk carefully near wetland edges, as these small frogs camouflage exceptionally well against mud.
- Minimize Disturbance: Avoid handling wild amphibians to prevent spreading pathogens like chytrid fungus.
Predator Carl D. Howe / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
Predator Wilson44691 / Public domain · cc0
Close Relative Patrick Coin (Patrick Coin) / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
Family Member (c) Blake Ross, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Blake Ross · cc-by
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Species set
Moonlight Marvels
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