The SARO List

Ever wonder what plant and animal species are at risk in Ontario?

Check out the Species At Risk in Ontario (SARO) list.

Here's the write up on the Northern Cricket Frog...

Features: Northern Cricket Frog (Acris crepitanis) is a small, rough-skinned member of the Tree Frog Family. The toe pads which are a characteristic of tree frogs are not well developed in this subspecies. It is normally brown or gray in colour and has a distinctive V-shaped marking between the eyes. The call is said to resemble the sound of "pebbles clicking together." This subspecies is more highly aquatic than other North American tree frogs. After the breeding season, it remains in shoreline areas of marshes, ponds and streams, and can often be found in emergent aquatic plants bordering these sources of permanent water.

Status: Endangered Provincially and Nationally

Range: This subspecies has an extensive distribution in its United States range, which extends from Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky west to South Dakota, and south through Texas into northern Mexico. Although considered abundant in parts of this range, it has declined in some areas. The subspecies is likely extirpated in Ontario. Confirmed records for the province exist from Point Pelee, Essex County, where the first Ontario specimen was taken in 1913, and from Pelee Island. Range Maps

Threats: Habitat loss resulting from drainage, dredging and landfill was responsible, in part, for the decline of Northern Cricket Frog in Ontario. Natural flooding which occurred over the winter of 1972 was likely responsible for the disappearance of Northern Cricket Frogs at one site, and may have affected other sites on the Island. In addition, introduced, non-native Carp (Cyprinus carpio) which eat Cricket Frog larvae gained access to the frogs' breeding ponds during periods of high water. Since the apparent disappearance of the Cricket Frog on Pelee, the highly predatory Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) has increased dramatically at the last known Cricket Frog site, which decreases chances of a recovery, should a small population remain.

Protection: Northern Cricket Frog is listed under Ontario's Endangered Species Act, 2007, which protects the species and its habitat. A recovery plan, sponsored by the Ministry of Natural Resources, has been developed.

Text Sources: Oldham and Campbell 1990; Cook 1984