May 8, 2012 – Florida – Where Livin’ Is Easy – For Pests
QUESTION:
What are the big tree frogs in Florida called?
ANSWER:
I suspect you are referring to the introduced pest species called the Cuban Tree Frog - Osteopilus septentrionalis - which is considered to be the largest species of tree frog now living in North America. It can grow as long as nearly 6 inches and will eat just about anything it can shove in its mouth. It has been introduced from its native region in the Caribbean, and now also inhabits many of the Caribbean Islands, Oahu, and Florida and into southern Georgia. It also is commonly sold as a pet in stores, even while being recognized as a serious threat to the natural environment in Florida when it either gets loose or is deliberately released by people who grow tired of owning them. As if the Burmese Python wasn't bad enough.
View past Ask Mr. Pest Control questions.
What are the big tree frogs in Florida called?
ANSWER:
I suspect you are referring to the introduced pest species called the Cuban Tree Frog - Osteopilus septentrionalis - which is considered to be the largest species of tree frog now living in North America. It can grow as long as nearly 6 inches and will eat just about anything it can shove in its mouth. It has been introduced from its native region in the Caribbean, and now also inhabits many of the Caribbean Islands, Oahu, and Florida and into southern Georgia. It also is commonly sold as a pet in stores, even while being recognized as a serious threat to the natural environment in Florida when it either gets loose or is deliberately released by people who grow tired of owning them. As if the Burmese Python wasn't bad enough.
Poor Florida. Your warm, tropical climate is wonderful to live in for people as well as the many exotic invaders that come from tropical parts of the world. Too often these originate as "pets" sold in stores or illegally, and once the cute baby animal grows too large to be cute any longer it is released, which absolutely devastates the native animals that are now either competing with this new invader or simply eaten by it. You have African Giant Toads, Green Iguanas, Burmese Pythons, and Coqui Toads, all of which appear to be there to stay.
While we may think that any tree frog is a good tree frog, given that it eats lots of bugs, bringing a dominant newcomer into a stable environment can really upset things. These large tree frogs will out-compete other tree frogs for available food. They will eat other species of frogs, baby birds in nests, small snakes, and the threatened species of land snails. It is now illegal to bring these frogs into Hawaii, and doing so will incur a hefty fine and jail time.
View past Ask Mr. Pest Control questions.
