These frogs prefer habitats near the edges of slow-moving bodies of water, and in close proximity to shelter items, like rocks.

The northern cricket frog is one of the three smallest vertebrates in North America, ranging from 19–38 mm (0.75–1.50 in) long.

[4] Its dorsal coloration varies widely, and includes greys, greens, and browns, often in irregular blotching patterns.

It is very similar to the southern cricket frog, Acris gryllus, found in the US Southeastern Coastal Plain, but with some overlap along the Fall Line.

There are various factors that influence microhabitat site selection for this species: temperature, proximity to water, shelter accessibility, etc.

[12] Frogs such as A. crepitans are important as an indicator of wetland health and general environmental quality in the areas they inhabit.

[14] Northern cricket frogs in Mississippi live in open mud flats, call far from shore, and quickly dive into water when disturbed.

Bigger frogs consume prey of longer length: less ants, springtails, mites and more leafhoppers, damselflies, butterflies, moths, grasshoppers, crickets.

These calls are defined by unique acoustic characteristics in order to attract female frogs of the same species.

In frogs, auditory sounds are produced as a result of the interaction between the structure of the larynx (otherwise known as the voice box), vocal tract, and cartilages that control the flow of air out of lungs.

The frequency of sound is dictated by the pressure of airflow through the larynx, as well as characteristics of vocal cords such as size and mass.

[20] The lipid stores of both males and females are lower during the breeding season than in non-breeding periods (pre-breeding, post-breeding, post-hibernation).

Acris crepitans and A. gryllus, both cricket frogs, have been observed to show similar orienting mechanisms, namely the Y-axis concept.

Frogs require information about shore position, direct view of a celestial cue, and sense of time in order for the successful use of Y-axis type of orientation during the day.

[14] Numerous environmental factors have been associated with sex determination in amphibians, including temperature, pH, and presence of foreign chemicals that affect the gonads.

For example, the same study had shown that in certain parts of Illinois that are more industrialized and had organochlorine peptides there was a larger proportion of intersex frogs.

[23] Much research has been conducted to demonstrate the balance of resources between immunity and reproduction, including that of Acris crepitans.

[24] Male northern cricket frogs were collected at the peak of the breeding season and injected with sheep blood cells to elicit an immune response.

[21] Acris crepitans are morphologically unique among hylids because of their unusually small size, as well as their bumpy skin that is not really seen in the family of Hylidae.

The northern cricket frog's overall small size and limited skull ossification suggests miniaturization of this species.

Miniaturization, or the evolution of a smaller body size, due to changes in anatomy, physiology, life history, and behavior over time.

For this species, the necessity to rapidly attain sexual maturity could explain its miniaturization; frogs grow 12 to 26 mm within a few months in preparation for the breeding season.

Other skeletal abnormalities of A. crepitans include lateral asymmetry in development of vomerine teeth and parasphenoid alae as well as tumor-like growth on the femur.