Eastern Cricket Frog Acris crepitans (Baird, 1854) crepitans    Synonyms: Northern Cricket Frog.
Kingdom Animalia   >   Phylum Chordata   >   Class Amphibia   >   Order Anura   >   Family Hylidae   >   Genus Acris   

Status:

Eastern Cricket Frog (Acris crepitans crepitans) is the smallest species of frog in Maryland, and in fact, one of the smallest vertebrates in North America. This tiny, warty treefrog species is relatively short-legged, lacks enlarged toe pads, and doesn't climb. This frog favors sunny, shallow areas of permanent water bodies, including slow sections of running water. The specific epithet crepitans, Latin for crackling, refers to its call, which sounds rather like a spray paint can being shaken, or two small stones being repeatedly struck together. The call tends to accelerate as it progresses, and continues for 20-30 clicks or more (Conant & Collins, 1998). In Maryland, this frog is found through much of the state, except the western edge (Maryland DNR site).

There are 852 records in the project database.

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Eastern Cricket Frog in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (6/14/2020). (c) Heather Stiltner, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). - Heather Stiltner via iNaturalist.

Eastern Cricket Frog in Caroline Co., Maryland (6/27/2010). (c) Bill Hubick, all rights reserved. - Bill Hubick.

Eastern Cricket Frog in Prince George's Co., Maryland (5/4/2019). No rights reserved. - Lori B via iNaturalist.

Eastern Cricket Frog in Harford Co., Maryland (5/2/2022). (c) melcaudill, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). - melcaudill via iNaturalist.

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An Eastern Cricket Frog in Calvert Co., Maryland (8/29/2018). Photo by Ben Springer. (MBP list)

An Eastern Cricket Frog in Calvert Co., Maryland (5/25/2016). Photo by Mikey Lutmerding. (MBP list)

An Eastern Cricket Frog found in Caroline Co., Maryland (10/10/2009). Photo by Jim Brighton. (MBP list)

An Eastern Cricket Frog in Charles Co., Maryland (4/14/2019). Photo by Jim Moore. (MBP list)

An Eastern Cricket Frog in Prince George's Co., Maryland (5/31/2020). Photo by Josh Emm. (MBP list)

Eastern Cricket Frog in Charles Co., Maryland (10/3/2020). (c) Emilio Concari, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Emilio Concari. (MBP list)

An Eastern Cricket Frog in Prince George's Co., Maryland (7/7/2018). Photo by Frode Jacobsen. (MBP list)

An Eastern Cricket Frog in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (4/5/2013). Photo by Bonnie Ott. (MBP list)

Eastern Cricket Frog in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (4/4/2021). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

Eastern Cricket Frog in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (5/28/2022). (c) Lindsay D. Loyd, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Lindsay D. Loyd via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

Eastern Cricket Frog in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (5/2/2021). (c) Emilio Concari, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Emilio Concari. (MBP list)

Eastern Cricket Frog in Prince George's Co., Maryland (9/13/2020). (c) Sergei Drovetski, all rights reserved. Photo by Sergei Drovetski. (MBP list)

An Eastern Cricket Frog in Harford Co., Maryland (4/14/2018). Photo by Dave Webb. (MBP list)

An Eastern Cricket Frog in Frederick Co., Maryland (7/7/2018). Photo by Steve Scholnick. (MBP list)

An Eastern Cricket Frog in Talbot Co., Maryland (7/14/2020). Photo by Richard Crook. (MBP list)

Eastern Cricket Frog in Talbot Co., Maryland (4/24/2022). (c) jared satchell, all rights reserved. Photo by Jared Satchell. (MBP list)

Eastern Cricket Frog in Dorchester Co., Maryland (9/22/2020). (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA). Photo by Judy Gallagher. (MBP list)

Eastern Cricket Frog in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (4/5/2020). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

Eastern Cricket Frog in Charles Co., Maryland (3/30/2024). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Frode Jacobsen. (MBP list)

Eastern Cricket Frog in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (5/1/2021). (c) Sergei Drovetski, all rights reserved. Photo by Sergei Drovetski. (MBP list)

Eastern Cricket Frog in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (9/28/2013). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Frode Jacobsen. (MBP list)

An Eastern Cricket Frog in Prince George's Co., Maryland (5/17/2014). Photo by Mark Etheridge. (MBP list)

A colorful Eastern Cricket Frog in Charles Co., Maryland (4/5/2020). Photo by Jim Moore. (MBP list)

Eastern Cricket Frog eggs in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (5/28/2022). (c) Matthew Beziat, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Matthew Beziat. (MBP list)

Eastern Cricket Frog eggs in Charles Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Justin Lee, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Justin Lee via iNaturalist. (MBP list)


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