Pseudacris crucifer cruciferThe treefrog family consists of 30 genera and 395 species. The Spring Peeper is a complex of two subspecies. The Northern Spring Peeper has an unspotted belly and is widespread through the range. The Southern Spring Peeper, Pseudacris c. bartramiana, has a spotted underside and is native to southern Georgia and northern Florida.
The X-shaped marking on its back is common in southern populations but in the Maritime provinces is usually distorted or fragmented.
During spring breeding the throat of adult males is black or dark brown, flecked with light yellow.
Size: newly transformed young had bodies from 1.3 to 1.4 cm. Body length of 492 breeding males ranged from 2.0 - 3.3 cm; length of 139 females ranged from 2.7 to 3.7 mm.
Distribution in Canada: Nova Scotia to eastern Manitoba. In the United States, south to northern Florida and west to eastern Texas.
In Nova Scotia, peepers are common in all regions.
Peepers are particularly common in the woodlands adjacent to roadside ponds. They will often move to shrubs in suburban gardens.
Earliest spring record is March 22, in 1983, when 5 males were found on wet pavement during a light evening rain at Forties Settlement area, Lunenburg County.
Latest fall observation is November 5, in 1982, when a freshly killed juvenile was found on the road at the Forties.
Thanks to the help of more than 10,000 Nova Scotians, a great deal is known about Peeper breeding dates and places in Nova Scotia. The Frogwatch site has details from the most recent year, plus more info about Peeper biology.