Thousands Of Singing Spring Peepers Are A Welcome Sound Of Normalcy Here In Cleveland
When the icy grip of winter begins to loosen, the landscape changes in some pretty significant ways. Bursts of green poke through the moist soil as spring flowers slowly emerge, and vernal pools begin collecting water from early rains and melting winter snows. These elements are often accompanied by a magical song… and peepers in Cleveland are a welcome and familiar sight. In fact, they’re one of the very first signs of spring’s approach in the area, and you might be hearing them near your own home soon! Here’s all you need to know about these charming little frogs.
If you hear a boisterous chorus this spring, it might be the spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer).
The song of the spring peeper is pretty easy to identify. Their chorus, which is part of their annual mating ritual, has been described as sounding a bit like sleigh bells, or perhaps like a peeping chick.
These frogs may emit their namesake "peep" up to 13,500 times each night, thanks in part to a vocal sac that's larger than most other frogs'.
These critters often start singing as soon as ice retreats from their wetlands. This allows the hibernating frogs to thaw and come out of their hiding places. Then, they go looking for love.
The spring peepers tend to congregate around big puddles of water known as vernal pools.
Vernal pools are essentially seasonal wetlands that provide a habitat for plants, amphibians, and insects. It's an important part of many critters' lifecycles, and it's the perfect environment for spring peepers to seek a mate. In fact, when spring peepers start singing each March or April, they're likely gathered around a pool like this.
As soon as the mating season wraps up, the females lay between 750 and 1,300 eggs.
Several thousand eggs may be laid in each vernal pool. The adult peepers, unfortunately, aren't the most doting parents. After they've laid their eggs, they often retreat into the forest and return to lives that are largely solitary.
Circa two weeks after the eggs are laid, tadpoles hatch.
Around 14 days after hatching, tadpoles will begin to emerge to feed on algae and other organisms. As they grow, they'll remain in tadpole form for about two to three months. Between about 45 and 90 days after hatching, these cuties start to grow legs and eventually turn into frogs.
Spring peepers live about two to three years in the wild, and they grow throughout this time.
While they don't climb high into trees, you will find them hanging out on or behind bark, leaves, and branches. They are most active at night, but they're around during the day, too... you might not spot them easily, however, due to their brown, green, or gray camouflage.
Where might you encounter peepers this season? Well, the Cleveland Metroparks, local forests, and even your own backyard are great places to look.
Anywhere with moist soil and decently sized puddles may be a candidate for spring peeper activity. Their songs are most active in the evening, so plan your hike around sunset if you're hoping to hear their song.
As soon as spring peepers start singing, Clevelanders know warmer weather is coming.
The annual approach of spring peepers in Cleveland is celebrated by nature-loving locals. After all, it’s a sign that spring is finally here! Did you know that there are tree frogs in Ohio? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
