Spring Peeper Spring Peeper Pseudacris crucifer by Jeff LeClere Allamakee Co. The spring peeper is one of the smallest frog species in Iowa. Ground color varies from gray to different shades of brown.
Some specimens appear rust red or orange.
Like many other frogs, shade of color is affected by temperature. There is a distinctive dark X on the back. There also may be random dark dashes on the body. There may be a dark stripe that starts at the snout and continues through the nostril and eye to the posterior edge of the tympanum, and a bar on the head connecting the eyes. The legs have bars on them.