Cuban Treefrogs destroying Florida's Native Treefrogs...?

[MTDesigns]

Hi everyone -- hope you're all doing well :).

Last month, we experienced some rather loud noises at night...it turned out to be a tiny treefrog, who was hanging out on our pool deck. Well, after a few nights of annoying squawking, we took pics and emailed those to someone at the University of Florida, as well as pics we took of a treefrog after the hurricanes last year. They have a website set up with information about treefrogs, but didn't see any that looked like ours. Anyway, it turns out that our treefrog was a Cuban treefrog, and they informed us that they are a threat to native treefrogs (they eat them) and they recommended that we humanely euthanize them. Well, uh, how could we do that?? We found another one a couple of weeks later, and eventually had to let that one go free, as we did the first one. After finding out that they were both Cuban treefrogs, I felt very guilty about setting them free again, but could you have euthanized them?

We just received an email from a Dr of Biology who is studying the distribution and spread of Cuban Treefrogs and wants to add our information to his database for mapping and research purposes.

I thought that with all of your little FQ froggies...that you would have some advice...?? :dunno:

[Deb]

We're ALL TOO FAMILIAR with these nasty lil critters! The Dr. did not sway you wrong. In an area where truly native treefrogs used to sing... there are none. :sad: I have not heard the sounds of the Green Treefrog in years :sad: We have an explosion of the Cubans in our area and also worked with the researchers putting up PVC pipes etc to study the increase of the Cubans and in hope of finding any sign of native treefrogs. Unfortunately we have yet to find a native :sad:

Pics? Sure :yeah:

http://www.picolio.com/Gallery/CubanTreeFrogs

As you go through the pics I've taken you'll find that these lil guys come in many sizes and more importantly many textures and colors. Of note - The Cuban Treefrog is the largest of treefrogs and certainly not native...but EXTREMELY invasive. They are also BIG EATERS which is the problem. There's just not enough territory for them to share with other treefrogs so the Cubans just eat the others.

Euthanasia -- No. *sigh* I have not been able to do that. I wish I could help with the problem but my heart wont allow it. Humane euthanasia can be accomplished in two steps. Step 1: Dab some Orajel (yes the stuff you'd use for a toothache) on the back of the "neck" right behind the head of the frog. This will put the frog to sleep. Step 2: Once asleep, place the frog in the freezer for three days. The Orajel should relieve any pain or trauma by putting the frog into such a deep sleep that they should never awake. The freezer just makes sure the frog doesn't awaken (we wouldn't want brain damaged frogs waking up in the trash...).

For a while the Cuban population in our yard was HUGE! So much so that they were found on the windows, sneaking into the home, all over the pond and in the pool and trees etc. Since then, a larger population of American Bullfrogs (http://www.picolio.com/Gallery/Bullfrogs) has appeared in the pond as well as some Black Racer snakes and Cattle Egret (http://www.picolio.com/Gallery/Egret_April142005_930am) and hawks (http://www.picolio.com/Gallery/pcmHawk). These have all begun eating the Cubans. Unfortunately, the Bullfrogs are also invasive so not sure what I'm accomplishing there lol but our native Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad (http://www.picolio.com/Gallery/Narrow-mouthed) population and native Southern Leopard Frog (http://www.picolio.com/Gallery/LeopardFrogs) populations have also increased so that part is good. Sadly, still no native treefrogs though. :sad:

If you have ANY other Treefrogs still around I would highly recommend extinguishing any of the Cubans you come across to assist the native treefrogs. As well as looking into anything you can do to assist the natives in that area (lil ponds, particular plants, protecting eggs if you see them etc).

And anyone with frogs and toads around may be interested in hooking up with FrogWatch USA to assist in their studies. It's free, it's fun, and it's not demanding in any way, shape, or form. Especially good for those with children (great homeschooling project). Check it out at:
http://www.nwf.org/frogwatchUSA/

Deb
- It's Green. It's a Treefrog. But it's not a Green Treefrog!
http://www.picolio.com/Albums/CubanTreeFrogs/Treefrog_03.thumb.jpg

[MTDesigns]

Thanks for the info Deb... at least we're not the only ones who couldn't harm to these baaaad frogs :(. Come on...how could any animal/creature lover kill anything? I have trouble killing a fly! Thanks also for the link -- haven't been a member of the NWF in many, many years, but will definitely have a look at the site :).

Best always,

Joi