Invasive Cuban Treefrog

Walking back from the Fernandina “Comfort Station” just east of our Welcome Center in downtown Fernandina Beach, I noticed a large black Labrador who looked a lot like my own. It was a beautiful spring morning, so I stopped to briefly chat with the four-year-old-fur baby, and the ladies he had in tow. The women pointed out a large white frog, perhaps toad. The white amphibian was seated on the park bench next to the statue of David Yulee. At first glance, I thought it was a rock, but a closer look confirmed this was indeed a very large frog. We thought it may be Albino, but it had lots of warts on its back and a nose that was almost pointy in shape; I couldn’t see his toes. The women took pictures, and I asked one of them, Mindy, to send me a copy. I gave her my name and cell phone number and confirmed that I would search the internet in an attempt to identify the species when I returned to the “box on the docks;” this is what I fondly call the Amelia River Cruises ticket kiosk.

In between phone calls and walk-up customers, I researched images of frogs and toads found in Florida. Continuing my search, I stumbled upon the University of Florida’s Florida Wildlife Extension website.

The frog/toad page listed 33 types of frogs and toads that live in Florida. I felt like I’d hit the jackpot! Clicking on every link and examining similarities between the one we saw and the ones listed, I wasn’t having much success. I learned about the Marine Toad. This Giant Toad is also known as a Cane Toad or Bufo Toad and it’s secretions can be an irritant to humans, but the milky substance could kill cats and dogs if ingested. I thought I was getting closer when I saw the Grey Treefrog. Looking at additional images, I saw no distinct similarities. If I thought I was approaching a possible match, a little more research had me ruling them out one-by-one. Frustrated with my investigative skills lead me to click on a link that said, “Help, I found a…”. Perfect, I thought, and I clicked on the link.

There I found the expert of all experts when it comes to frogs and toads, Dr. Steve A. Johnson, an associate professor at the University of Florida’s Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. Having spent more than enough time trying to identify the creature, I located Dr. Johnson’s email, attached a picture, and sent him this quick request:

“Hi,
I saw this toad or frog this morning near the marina in Fernandina Beach, Florida, and was curious what type it is?

It’s pointy nose and bumpy back makes it different than the other grey species I saw on the website.

Thanks,
Judie”

Before the end I the day, he responded. I had my answer. He confirmed the identity of a Cuban Treefrog, an invasive species.

“Cuban Treefrogs are an invasive species in the US, and by humanely euthanizing them you are being an advocate for our native treefrogs”. He continued, “And now that I have confirmed what you found were in fact invasive Cuban Treefrogs, I’d like you to post your findings, along with the images to the frogs, to EDDmapS.”

What on Earth did we see? He wants me to kill it? What is EDDmapS? I was initially surprised at his quick response, and more surprised at what I was reading on the links he included in the response. EDDmapS is the Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System run by the University of Georgia. It operates as a national invasive species tracking site. Feeling a tug of urgency, I requested permission from Mindy to use her photo to report the pest, and read all of the information Dr. Johnson suggested.

Who knew frogs could be so interesting? Who knew how many people have ranidaphobia, a fear of frogs? While there are no exact numbers, The Cleveland Clinic says, “We do know that about 1 in 10 American adults and 1 in 5 teenagers will deal with a specific phobia disorder at some point in their lives.”

Apparently, getting warts by touching a frog is an old wives tale, and the fairy tale of kissing a frog won’t get you a prince, but it will lead to serious intestinal discomfort. Researching their secretions has led to new painkillers and antibiotics, and a few Nobel Prize winners have used frogs in their studies. I thought, if this professor wants it euthanized, there must be a very good reason to do so. My next concern was, how do you humanely euthanize a Cuban Treefrog? …and why? I clicked on yet another suggested link sent by Dr. Johnson.

The Cuban Treefrog eats native tree frogs, insects, and small snakes. In areas of South Florida, where the Cuban Treefrog has invaded in large populations, there has been a distinct and traceable reduction in Florida’s native frogs. These hitch hikers find their way into homes on house plants, or by sneaking in when a door is opened. They often find their way in through roof ventilation. They hang out in crevices and small places like behind aluminum siding, electric boxes, and rolled up awnings. While they are not deadly to humans, if they find their way indoors they can clog water pipes causing expensive plumbing repairs. Outside, they may cause electrical shorts in pumps and air conditioning units. In geographical areas that have a robust action plan to reduce numbers of the invasive little monster, native species numbers are increasing, so humane euthanasia is working.

First and foremost, you must positively identify the frog as the invasive Cuban Treefrog. If you aren’t sure, just ask for help like I did.

A 20% benzocaine product in a gel is suggested. Benzocaine is an anesthetic with numbing effects on the nervous signals. It reduces pain and discomfort associated with sunburns, toothaches and canker sores. Brand names include Oragel, Cepacol, Lanacane, and Vagisil. Do not use the spray; use the topical ointment. With gloved hands, pick up the frog in a smooth sweeping motion and hold firmly. Apply the gel on his back and give the frog a nice back rub, spreading the gel around. The gel will numb the frog and render him unconscious. Once unconscious, close him up in a Ziplock type bag, and put him in the freezer for 24 hours. Frogs are cold-natured, so the cold air will force hibernation and inactivity for the frog. The freezing temperatures will kill the Cuban Treefrog, however there are a few frog species that will not die when frozen. Because the frog never wakes up, this is considered humane euthanasia.

To learn more about the invasive Cuban Treefrog, managing the species, or becoming a Citizen Scientist, please visit the University of Florida’s Wildlife-Johnson Lab.

Categorised in: Wildlife & Marine Biology