It's difficult to believe that a small amphibian like the Cuban Tree Frog can wreak havoc, but in Florida it has done just that. Learn more about their impact and future.
The Cuban Tree Frog, Osteopilus septentrionalus, is an invasive non-native species found in the United States that actively preys on native tree frogs such as the American Green Tree Frog, Squirrel Frog, Gray Tree Frog, Pinewoods Tree Frog, and Barking Tree Frog. It has the potential to decimate whole populations of native frogs, and in some locations has done just that.
The Cuban Tree Frog entered this country most likely by stowing away on cargo vessels bringing goods into Key West. The frogs have thrived in Florida's sub-tropical climate, and in the process of expanding their range, have also displaced native frogs along the way. In fact, the State of Florida is conducting research to determine their full impact.
Shared Habitat
The Cuban Tree Frog is similar in appearance to and can be found inhabiting the same habitat as that of the American Green Tree Frog. They are nocturnal and can be found in backyards, bird baths, and small ponds, in addition to being found infiltrating plumbing systems and electrical boxes where they've been reported to cause short circuits.
Cuban Tree Frogs also utilize the same water sources for breeding that other American tree frogs use. The tadpole of the Cuban Tree Frog is as predacious as its adult form and preys on the tadpoles of other species.
Species Description
Cuban Tree Frogs are the largest tree frog in North American, reaching up to 5 1/2" in length. Their skin is warty, much like that of the toad, and they come in a variety of colors. Their most notable identifying mark is their enormous toe pads which are as large as their external ear. In addition, the skin on the top of their head is fused to the skull.
Impact and Preventive Measures
Studies are being conducted in an attempt to gauge the impact that the Cuban Tree Frog is having on native frog species; however, the Cuban Tree Frog also has had an impact on other species such as small birds whose nest boxes they invade and frighten away. They have even been known to eat small lizards and snakes.
The Cuban Tree Frog is believed to have spread to at least half of the state of Florida. The University of Florida's Wildlife Extension Program recommends that anyone finding a Cuban Tree Frog humanely euthanize it, but only after positive identification has been made. Digital photos can be submitted to the Wildlife Extension for comfirmation.
The copyright of the article Cuban Tree Frogs in Reptiles & Amphibians is owned by Beverly Hill. Permission to republish Cuban Tree Frogs in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
I love these frogs and i have 3 but i had a toad in the cage and they
didn't eat it your try to eat him
Nov 19, 2008 11:28 AM
Guest :
Your artcle says "anyone finding a Cuban Tree Frog ...". How
about if you find dozens around your lanai or front door or any place there
is an exterior light. They make a terrible mess with droppings. I dread the
prospect that these things should reach 5 inches. Apparently there is no
effective way to get rid of them. I can only hope they move somewhere else
soon.
Mar 5, 2009 7:30 AM
Guest :
this is just amazing for what these frogs can do.
May 20, 2009 9:45 AM
Guest :
i am doing a research project on the cuban tree frog and thanks for all of
the facts
Jun 19, 2009 7:49 PM
Guest :
I have 100's of them in my yard at night, the first person who loves them
so much, please come take them all away! I would love a way to get rid of
them without killing everything else. As it is now, I don't keep any
outdoor lighting on and that is so unsafe at night, but I can't stand the
thought of having 20-30 of them on my front door at night when I came home.
They just on people.
Sep 10, 2009 1:57 PM
Guest :
I think these frogs are amazing. Why should we euthanize them? WHY?
Sep 10, 2009 1:58 PM
Guest :
I am doing a school report on tree frogs. Anyone wanna help me get some
threat info on them? deeply appreciated.
Oct 1, 2009 12:06 AM
frogman1981 :
in florida there are many non-native critters.does that mean we should kill
theme?me and my boys love every kind of frog we come across and would never
think of disposing of any of them.if everyone is so conerned about this
frog do the dirty work yourselfs.
Oct 7, 2009 8:50 PM
Guest :
I don't have the heart to kill them either, but I also love the little
lizards on my patio and whenever I notice a decline in the lizard
population I always find a Cuban skulking about. I figured out a great way
to trap them though. Take a medium (tall) plastic garbage pail and put
some water in the bottom (about 6 inches or so) and place it under the
patio light. The Cuban will hang out by the light to catch the bugs at
night and, if you are lucky, will make a misstep and fall into the pail.
If the pail is deep enough, and the Cuban is wet, he will probably not be
able to climb out. You might also hear him splashing about. Anyway, when
I trap them, I then drive them out to a wildlife preserve and let them go.
It's so far from houses they probably won't find their way back and maybe
a big snake will eat them.
I do have one Cuban that I found as a
youngster and have kept as a pet. He/she is pretty tame, will take worms
out of my fingers without biting me and, though it doesn't like being
handled, will allow me to hold it sometimes (it is very pleasant and
buttery feeling).
Cubans are very sneaky though. I had one on
my patio for 6 months that I tried to catch (before I figured out the pail
trick). I also had some pet Tree Frogs and a couple of Southern Toads that
I kept inside as pets. They made a lot of chirping noises of course. I
went on vacation and took them with me. I returned a month later and,
before I put them back in their aquarium, I cleaned it out. I was totally
freaked when I realized that the Cuban had snuck into my house through a
dining room window I had left ajar and had crawled INSIDE their tank and
hidden. Was he really THAT smart? I mean did he really have enough brain
power that he had heard my pets, remembered hearing them even though they
were gone, and come in looking for them? Do they have a really good sense
of smell? How did he know that they normally lived in that tank? I'm
sure if I had just put them back in their tank without discovering him that
they would have been his dinner.
He was pretty skinny so I fed
him meal worms for a few days and then he totally ended up in the woods.
Little bastard.
