Vocalization: Spring peepers are some of the loudest frogs, producing a resonating “beep” or “peep” sound that is characteristic of early spring. This peeping sound is made to attract females although another call they make, described as a “brrrrt” is used as a territorial call if another male gets too close. Roughly 15% of the spring peeper’s body mass is dedicated to vocalization helping it be one of the loudest species in North America, with some calls reaching 4,000 Hertz. They produce their calls like most frogs, by expelling air from their lungs through their larynx and over the vocal cords. The vocal cords vibrate, creating sound. The air and vibrations then travel to the throat sack, which amplifies the call. The air is then cycled through the buccal cavity and back to the lungs, repeating the cycle. This allows the call to be heard well over a kilometre away. While they primarily call during spring, spring peepers can sometimes be heard in the fall when young males begin to practice.
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Local Knowledge: Historically, spring peepers have been persecuted for being ”too loud” as their calls have been known to reach 90 decibels. In 1878, in an area of Toronto now known as Parkdale, there was a small pond behind the Parkdale Methodist Church. In spring this pond would fill with spring peepers who’s calls could be heard throughout the season. These calls were seen as an “annoyance” by church goers who eventually took large barrels of salt and poured them into the pond, killing off the frogs. The pond has since been developed into a parking lot and the church has been dismantled. This is not meant to be an attack on the church goers but rather meant to illustrate some of the threats these frogs have faced throughout the city’s expansion and why it’s important to protect and appreciate what wildlife remains in our Metropolitan areas
Sources:
Fridgen, Tina. "Herpetology BIOL3340H Amphibian Biology." Trent University, 17 Sept. 2019, Peterborough, Canada. Lecture. "Parkdale Walk." Lost Rivers Walks, The Toronto Green Community, www.lostrivers.ca/ParkdaleWalk.html?fbclid=IwAR2i82_Ld5JR6XLcOi3wQRfZ852W_EKPlhERtJm5l6zyR8N3J4_jHC-E4dA. Accessed 4 Nov. 2021. "Spring peeper." Ontario Nature, 2021, ontarionature.org/programs/community-science/reptile-amphibian-atlas/spring-peeper/. Accessed 4 Nov. 2021. |