The Northern Spring Peeper is often heard but rarely seen. They are a tiny variety of frog that can be found from the Gulf of Mexico to the Hudson Bay that happens to thrive in the moist fields and forests of NJ. They are no more than 1.5" long, usually tan to brown in color with a darker colored "X" on their back from which their Latin name "Pseudacris crucifer" is derived. In the spring you will hear the male peepers calling for a mate. The larger the army of peepers, the more aggressive their calls will become as they compete for the attention of the females. They live about three years and can weather even the harshest winters as they can survive being almost completely frozen. They make their homes on the edges of fresh water ponds and in swamps where there is plenty of vegetation to hide them during the day. At night they come out to eat and are good at controlling the local insect population. They love mosquitoes, flies, ants, beetles and spiders. Because of their amphibian life-stages they have many predators including fish, birds, chipmunks, snakes, turtles and even other frogs. With so many predators about they are more than happy to live in greenbrier, sumac and poison ivy. This is why we're so unlikely to spot them during the day!
You are searching for a normal sized lock-n-lock container camouflaged to blend in with the environment. I only wish I could camo as well as the peepers! The cache is situated in a spot that I've circled for years and finally found the right way to approach to stay dry and clean. There is a lot of water flowing through Cheesequake. The majority is brackish water from the tidal marshes but nestled in the valleys and ravines lies many wetland bogs. These are home to all manner of wildlife and are very infrequently visited by us explorer types. Your best approach to this cache is from the Red Trail in between the Green and Blue trails. You can also get close by staying on the road and turning in just before it goes down the big hill. If you approach from the green trail... be sure to tell of your adventures. =] The way is hilly, potentially slippery and absolutely beautiful if you visit at the right time. I'm particularly fond of the moss gardens! When the cache was hidden TeamABC noticed lots of little holes in the ground and wondered what they were until we remembered that the Cicadas were due this year. If you visit at the right time this season you'll hear their song. Enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of spring!
This cache is certified Central Jersey!
