Spring peeper
Pseudacris crucifer
Pseudacris crucifer, called in English, Spring Peeper, one within the family of tree frogs ( Hylidae ) to the genus Pseudacris. The species was scientifically described in 1838 by the German naturalist Maximilian zu Wied - Neuwied.
Features
Pseudacris crucifer reaches a body length of 1.9 to a maximum of 3.7 cm. The animal has a slender physique. The basic color is light brown on greenish and olive to gray, the legs are striped dark. Between the eyes and the nose and across the head are also going dark stripes arranged in a triangle. It is characterized by a roughly X-shaped cross on the places dark mottled back. The large, golden-brown eyes have round or oval-shaped horizontal pupils. Frog's voice is high, the croaking is done at repeated intervals of about one second.
Subspecies
There are two subspecies of Pseudacris crucifer:
- Pseudacris crucifer crucifer
- Pseudacris crucifer bartramiana
Way of life
Pseudacris crucifer leads a hidden life. Especially during the breeding season in the spring, the frog is hard to see. He thinks he's like on thin places with enough ground vegetation and is mainly active during the day in humid and rainy weather. When hiding about pieces of bark, roots, stones or plates will be investigated. The tadpoles develop in stagnant waters.
Dissemination
Pseudacris crucifer is spread from southeast Canada on the entire East Coast of the United States to the north of Florida. To the west is the boundary of its range from eastern Texas relatively straight north to the south-east of Manitoba in Canada. The habitat is moist, waters near and swampy woodlands and riparian forests.
Ecology and conservation
Pseudacris crucifer occurs together with other representatives of the genera Pseudacris and Hyla. Main threat is the drying up of swamps and wetlands. Since Pseudacris crucifer is relatively adaptable, the populations are currently stable. In natural habitats, the species is well represented and the World Conservation Union ( IUCN ) to undertake as " Least Concern ", that is not endangered.