I recorded these spring peepers in upstate ny on march 18, 2022 in a wetland area. Spring peepers are small tree frogs. They are rarely seen, but during mating season in the spring, they are often heard. They are generally about one inch (2. 5 centimeters) in length, or about the length of a paper clip, and their weight averages from 0. 11 to 0. 18 ounces (3 to 5 grams). Spring peepers are known for the males’ mating call—a high-pitched whistling or peeping sound repeated about 20 times a minute. However, the faster and louder they sing, the greater the chances of attracting a mate. They often congregate near water and sing in trios, with the deepest-voiced frog starting the call. They begin breeding early in the spring and call on warm spring nights and during the day in rainy or cloudy weather. Females lay their eggs in vernal pools, ponds, and other wetlands where fish are not present. A female may lay anywhere from 750 to 1,200 eggs, which attach to submerged aquatic vegetation. Males fertilize the eggs as they are laid. Depending on the temperature, eggs can hatch within two days to two weeks. The tadpoles have gills to breathe underwater and tails to help them swim. Tadpoles transform into frogs over the course of 6 to 12 weeks. Spring peepers are said to have short lives, living three to four years at most.
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