Cricket Frogs (Acris) vs Chorus Frogs (Pseudacris)

I get a lot of questions on how to distinguish Crickets from Chorus Frogs. All of these frogs are small, brown and have some patterns on their body. That said, they are truly quite different once you start exploring these animals. Both of these genre are in the Treefrog family, with the Crickets being what we refer to as an "ally". This means they do not meet the definition of a true Treefrogs, but they are so closely related they qualify. So, let us cover 8 tips to distinguish Cricket Frogs from Chorus Frogs.

Brimley's Chorus Frog - © Ty Smith

​Northern Cricket Frog - © Ty Smith

Northern Cricket Frog - © Ty Smith

1. Cricket Frogs often (but not always) have bright pops of color. This may be a mid dorsal line or a green "mossing" over the body. Chorus Frogs will ALWAYS lack these.

2. Chorus frogs have smooth, but granular skin. While Cricket Frogs have smooth skin with a few "warts".

Northern Cricket Frog - © Ty Smith

New Jersey Chorus Frog - © Ty Smith

6. Chorus Frogs have stripes and "pixels", while Cricket Frogs are blotched.

7. Cricket Frogs have pale stripes under the eye.

8. Cricket Frogs are active year round, but much more active in the warmer months. Chorus Frogs (excluding Little Grass Frogs) are more active on warm nights in colder months.

3. Chorus Frogs have a dark mask through the eye, and many species have a pale lip. 

4. Chorus Frogs have clear, disk-shaped toe-pads, while Cricket Frogs have "knob-shaped" toes.

5. Cricket Frogs have yellow inner thighs with black lines.

Southern Cricket Frog - © Ty Smith

Upland Chorus Frog - © Ty Smith