Squeakers and Cricket Frogs: Arthroleptidae

The squeakers and cricket frogs are found throughout much of central to southern Africa, but not in the southwest portion of the continent. Some live in lowland forests and others in mountains up to 9,800 feet (3,000 meters) above sea level.

The smaller frogs in this family eat invertebrates (in-VER-teh-brehts), which are animals without backbones. In particular, they eat tiny insects, spiders, and other arthropods (AR-throe-pawds). Arthropods are invertebrates that have jointed legs. The larger frogs will eat bigger prey, often anything they can find, capture, and stuff into their mouths. Sometimes, this includes other small frogs.

Some people hunt for and eat the larger species of squeakers and cricket frogs. They do not bother the smaller species. Squeakers and cricket frogs are rare in the pet trade.