If you’ve ever walked near a marsh or pond in early spring and heard what sounds like tiny fingers running along a comb, there’s a good chance you’ve met the Boreal Chorus Frog. These little frogs are some of the first to break winter’s silence, often calling while snow still lingers. Small but mighty, they’re a sign that spring is on the way and life is waking up again.
Size & Physical Appearance
The Boreal Chorus Frog is definitely on the petite side. Adults range from 0.75 to 1.5 inches long, which makes them easy to overlook unless they’re calling. Their color can vary quite a bit — from tan to brown or greenish — but they almost always have three dark stripes running down their back. Some frogs may have broken or faint stripes, but the pattern is usually there.
They typically have a dark stripe running from the snout, through the eye, and down past the shoulder. You might also spot a white line along the upper lip. Their undersides are pale and unmarked, and their skin has a slightly rough texture.
Juveniles look like smaller copies of the adults, while males can be distinguished during the breeding season by their darker throats and the swollen thumbs they use while calling.
Habitat and Range
Boreal Chorus Frogs are tough little survivors. They’re found across much of the north-central and western United States, including states like Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and parts of Michigan and Wisconsin. They also range into Canada.
They tend to live in grasslands, prairies, wetlands, and open woodlands. During the spring breeding season, they’re easy to find — or at least hear — around temporary ponds, flooded fields, and ditches. The rest of the year, they’re more secretive and stick to moist ground under leaves or in grass.
They’re found from low elevations to over 10,000 feet in some mountain regions, especially in the Rockies. Pretty impressive for such a small amphibian.
Diet
These frogs are small but effective hunters. They eat a variety of tiny invertebrates, including:
- Aphids
- Ants
- Small beetles
- Spiders
- Other soft-bodied insects
Basically, if it’s small enough to fit in their mouth and wiggly enough to catch their attention, it’s fair game. Their diet helps control insect populations, which makes them an important part of their ecosystem.
Lifespan
In the wild, Boreal Chorus Frogs generally live 2 to 3 years, though some may survive a bit longer with the right conditions. In captivity, where predators and harsh weather aren’t a threat, they can live up to 5 years.
Identification Tips
Despite their name, these frogs can be tricky to spot. But their call — that distinctive “creek creek creek” sound — is a giveaway during the breeding season.
If you’re trying to tell them apart from similar frogs, here are a few pointers:
- Western Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata): Nearly identical in appearance and was once considered the same species. Geographical range is the best clue — Boreal Chorus Frogs are found farther north and west.
- Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer): Has a noticeable dark X-shaped mark on its back rather than stripes.
- Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica): Larger, with a more solid brown body and a darker mask-like marking on the face.
It’s also worth noting that these frogs aren’t great climbers like tree frogs — they’re mostly ground-dwellers or cling to low vegetation near water.
Fun Fact
Boreal Chorus Frogs can actually survive being frozen in winter. They produce special proteins and sugars in their bodies that act sort of like antifreeze, allowing their vital organs to keep from being damaged when temperatures drop below freezing. Once it warms up again, they thaw out and hop back into action.
Pretty wild, right? Not bad for a frog that could fit in your pocket.
Whether you’re a frog-watcher, a student doing a report, or just someone who enjoys spring sounds, the Boreal Chorus Frog is a species worth knowing. They’re small, they’re tough, and they’re full of surprises — the kind of critter that makes exploring nature extra fun.
Want to find them? Just step outside after a spring rain and listen for the call. They’re out there — you just have to tune in.