Natural History: Southern Cricket Frog

Natural History

Blog Post 1

Southern Cricket Frog

Acris gryllus

Along our trip to the Caw Caw Interpretive Center, we came across two Southern Cricket Frogs (Acris gryllus).  The first one we encountered was found about six feet away from a small puddle amongst dead branches and tree leaves.  It could be identified as a Southern Cricket Frog due to the prominent dark triangle between the eyes as well as our geographic location.  When we tried to capture it, it quickly hopped underneath a pile of dead tree leaves and was no longer visible to us. However, as we made our way closer to the puddle, we came across another Southern Cricket Frog.  This specimen was discovered with its body half in the puddle and half out. The puddle appeared to be six feet in length and three feet deep. As we approached, it began to hop away from the puddle and into the woods, most likely to find a hiding place.  However, we were able to catch this one. Once again, it could clearly be identified as a Southern Cricket frog due to the presence of the dark triangle between the eyes as well as its pointed snout and our geographical location. This specimen also had at least two joints of the fourth toe free of webbing which is a defining characteristic of this species.  This species typically ranges anywhere from southern Virginia down through Florida and westward to the Mississippi River. Their typical habitats can include temporary pools of water like these as well as ponds, lakes, marshes, along with other bodies of water. We suspect that this individual was a female due to its lack of a gray and spotted throat.

Reproduction in this species involves the male using his mating call to attract females.  The female then picks the male of her liking and this male then begins grasping the female around her waist with his front legs (amplexing).  This stimulates female hormone release, eventually causing eggs to be released (up to 150 at a time) into freshwater signaling the male to then release his sperm to fertilize the eggs.  This is known as external fertilization. The sperm and egg are then covered with a gelatinous covering for protection until becoming a tadpole with gills and eventually an adult with lungs.  This process of metamorphosis typically takes 90 days in this species. The individual we encountered was clearly fully metamorphosed.  

When I had first moved to South Carolina, my family and I used to see Southern Cricket Frogs whenever we would go hiking, but we never took the time to identify them.  It’s interesting to learn more about a species that is very common in South Carolina. Now when I come across these individuals I will be able to identify and know a little bit about their history.