Brimley’s Chorus Frog (Pseudacris brimleyi) may be small, but it has a powerful voice for its size. Native to the southeastern United States, this little amphibian is known for its short, raspy call—often heard on rainy or humid nights during the breeding season. It’s a member of the tree frog family, but it doesn’t climb much and prefers to keep its feet on the ground. Even though it tends to blend into its surroundings, once you know what to listen and look for, finding Brimley’s Chorus Frog becomes a fun nature challenge.
Size & Physical Appearance
Brimley’s Chorus Frog is a petite species, usually measuring between 0.75 and 1.25 inches long (that’s about the size of a paperclip). Their color can range from light gray to brown or even a greenish hue, often matching the grasses and leaf litter they live in.
One of their most noticeable features is the set of three dark longitudinal stripes—or sometimes broken lines—that run down their back. Some also have a dark line from the snout through the eye to the shoulder, which can help with identification. Their bellies are usually pale, sometimes with faint mottling.
Males are typically smaller and may have a darker throat due to their vocal sac, especially during breeding season. Females are a bit bulkier in comparison but don’t show this throat darkening.
Habitat and Range
This species sticks close to coastal plains and is found in the southeastern U.S., mostly in eastern North Carolina and parts of southeastern Virginia. They live in lowland habitats like wet meadows, grassy ditches, swamps, and forested wetlands.
Brimley’s Chorus Frogs aren’t picky about elevation—they’re usually found at lower elevations under 500 feet. They’re most often seen during their breeding season when they gather near shallow temporary pools and flooded ditches.
If you’re in the right area and hear them calling during late winter to early spring, you’re probably near their breeding grounds.
Diet
Like most frogs, Brimley’s Chorus Frog is insectivorous. It feeds on a variety of small invertebrates, including:
- Ants
- Spiders
- Small beetles
- Flies
- Other tiny arthropods it can catch
They forage mostly at night and rely on stillness and camouflage to sneak up on their prey. Their small size means they go for the tiniest creepers in the leaf litter.
Lifespan
In the wild, Brimley’s Chorus Frog typically lives about 1 to 3 years. That might not sound like long, but for small amphibians, it’s pretty standard. Not much is known about their lifespan in captivity since they’re rarely kept outside of research or conservation programs.
Identification Tips
Telling Brimley’s Chorus Frog apart from other chorus frogs in the region can be tricky at first, especially since many species are small and striped. Here are a few ways to tell it apart:
- Three narrow stripes along the back are a big clue. These stripes may be solid or have small breaks.
- The stripes don’t usually have spots or blotches inside them, unlike similar species like the Upland Chorus Frog (Pseudacris feriarum).
- Listen for its call: a short, raspy trill that sounds a bit like running your finger over a comb. This is especially helpful in the breeding months.
- The dark line through the eye is present but not as bold or sharply defined as in other chorus frogs.
If you’re trying to take a photo for ID purposes, try to get a clear shot from above to show the pattern on the back.
Fun Fact
Brimley’s Chorus Frog was named after C.S. Brimley, a naturalist and entomologist in North Carolina who contributed greatly to documenting the state’s biodiversity. Despite being a “chorus” frog, this particular species tends to sing solo or in small groups compared to others that gather in large, noisy choruses.
Final Thoughts
This little frog may not be flashy, but it’s a charming part of the southeastern wetland soundscape. If you’re out walking in a boggy area and hear a rasping call on a warm winter night, you just might be hearing Brimley’s Chorus Frog gearing up for a new generation. They’re a great reminder that even the quietest, most well-hidden animals play a big part in their ecosystems.
If you live in their range, keep an ear out during late winter and early spring—you might hear one of nature’s smallest singers tuning up!