Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi Everyone:
We are new in the forum and it seems like a great place to talk and ex-change info about frogs. We have 12 of different species.
Right now, we are trying to identify one of them. He is nocturnal, but does not climb. He prefers to stay in the ground and do some digging.
If anybody can help us with these, please take a look at the pictures. Your help is greatly appreciated!

That looks a lot like Osteopilus septentrionalis = Cuban tree frog...

Hi:
Thanks for answering. We also thought that he was a cuban tree frog, but there are two things about him that do not match the cuban's characteristics:
1. he does not have his skin "bounded" to his skull
2. cuban tree frogs do not have "patterns" in their backs.
What else do you think he could be?
Thanks again for your help!

Here's a little more information.
Cuban treefrogs can be highly variable in color -- from pale tan/pale green without any markings to dark green or brown with an even darker color pattern on the back and legs. Sometimes they almost look white when they are inactive or cold.

There are sites that have sound from the Cuban Tree Frog. You could play the sound to see if the frog responds.
Just an idea.
Good luck with your identification.

Sure looks Cuban to me...here's a pic from livingunderworld.org

i thought cuban also... if you dont think it is, can you tell us what region it is from? this pic of a cuban looks just like yours though so that would be my suggestion also...

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my pets: clown treefrogs, reed frogs, big eyed treefrogs, tiger leg monkey frogs, gray treefrogs, milk frogs, cuban treefrogs, whites tree frog, green treefrogs, squirrel treefrogs, blue webbed gliding treefrog, red eye treefrogs, chameleon treefrogs?, mossy treefrogs, dusky salamanders, tiger salamander, box turtles, mud turtle, map turtle, yellowbelly slider, florida softshell, two saltwater tanks, five cats, two chinchillas, and a boyfriend.

Thanks to everybody for your answers. Sorry I did not get back to you before, but my pc has been giving me some trouble. About my frogs, you are right: they do look like cubans. But, there are some differences that make me doubt:
1. The marks on the big ones are completely different from the cubans. Also, cubans tree frogs have their skin "attached" to their skull and the skin in this frog is loose. Also, this frog does not climb, it buries itself and is more diurnal than nocturnal.
2. About the little one, the size is not the same as cubans. Houdini is only 1 1/12 inches and he is, at least, 2 years old. Also, the skin is not attached to the skull and his call is completely different than that of a cuban.
So, I am at kind of a lost here. Thanks for your responses and if you have any other suggestions,it would be greatly appreciated it.
Ana

Your photo is showing an adult female cuban treefrog, or possibly another Osteopilus sp. Almost all forms show this patterning to some degree or another (it depends on the region they originally hailed from). During the day, or in bright lighting most become lighter and more uniform in colour.

The Osteopilus name reflects how the lower skin layer is fused with the top part of the skull. In some individuals this is in only a small space between the eyes. It is much more noticeable in fatter individuals. Your frog will almost certainly be the same.

To be absolutely certain, and I can't really tell 100% from the photo, which distinguishes Osteopilus from all other American Hylids, is whether a flap of skin covers the top quarter or so area of the tympanic membrane.

The diurnal behaviour will be just due to not settling in yet, or the cage being inadequate in some way. Likewise with the burrowing. These frogs are extrememly secretive and require a small, dark hide to rest in during the day otherwise they will simply dig.

Hope this helps anyway. They are fantastic frogs. Reasonably easy to breed as well (mainly in being able to give the tadpoles enough food to fuel their almost unbelievable growth rate!)

Rob