This paperclip sized frog peeps so loudly for mate that it could cause hearing damage

You might not spot a spring peeper in the wild but you’d have no problem hearing one.

The tiny tree frogs are well hidden thanks to their natural camouflage and their size — usually measuring about 1 inch in length — but what they can’t hide is their burning desire to reproduce.

Male spring peepers love to peep when mating season comes. They peep loud and often in hopes of attracting a female with their boisterous cries, according to Oklahoma wildlife officials.

“Despite the frog’s small size, its peeps can be as loud a car horn (100 dB) and can reach frequencies near that of a smoke alarm (2.9 kHz),” the state Department of Wildlife said in a Facebook post on Feb. 27, sharing video of a male spring peeper in action.

The brown frog is seen perched upon a pile of dead leaves, its vocal sac expanding and contracting as it belts out piercing little beeps.

So strong is the frog’s mating call that it could potentially harm your hearing.

While it’s probably safe to listen to the amphibian courting ritual under most circumstances, spring peepers are capable of reaching 100 decibels — as loud as a whirring blender or a subway train. Health experts recommend that people not expose themselves to 100 decibels for more than 15 minutes, as it can cause permanent damage, according to BBC.

“The faster and louder they sing, the greater the chances of attracting a mate,” the National Wildlife Federation says. “They often congregate near water and sing in trios, with the deepest-voiced frog starting the call.”

Spring peepers vary in color, from brown or gray, to tan and green, according to the organization. They are found across a large swath of North America, ranging from Florida to as far north as Canada.

This story was originally published February 28, 2023 at 8:41 AM with the headline "This paperclip sized frog peeps so loudly for mate that it could cause hearing damage."