ORLANDO SENTINEL (Florida) 15 July 07 Cuban tree frogs create nuisance on many levels (Eleanor C. Foerste)
Have you felt as if someone were watching you, but when you look over your shoulder, no one is there? That's not as odd as you might think. Lately, more big eyes have been watching us, but they don't belong to a who. They belong to a what: Cuban tree frogs.
They have big bulging eyes and look at you from the strangest places. Cuban tree frogs have been found in toilets -- a shocking experience even for those of us who enjoy all kinds of wildlife.
These frogs are much larger than our native tree frogs. The females can grow to more than 6 inches long. They can change color and vary from light gray to green to dark brown and can have a pattern that looks similar to military camouflage gear.
Cuban tree frogs are native to Cuba and other Caribbean island. They were first reported in Key West in the 1920s, likely arriving on cargo boats. By 1945, they moved to the mainland and by the mid-1970s were found throughout South Florida.
Now they have been found throughout the Panhandle, and one was recently documented in Canada. Because they can't walk that far, it is presumed they hitchhiked on a shipment of plants. They also like to catch rides in nooks and crannies of vehicles, so they are likely going on vacation with residents and spreading to other areas as well.
Cuban tree frogs do not jump on unsuspecting residents to cause a fright. But it can be quite startling when such a large frog jumps from the top of your door sill as you leave for work in the morning, or surprises you as you open the storage room door.
So, if Cuban tree frogs prefer to live outside in trees and shrubs, eating bugs near lights at night, how do they get inside into the bathroom throne? They can squeeze through tiny gaps, and plumbing vent openings on the roof are often as wide as a soda can.
If you want to maintain your privacy and not have visiting tree frogs or other wildlife, consider covering the vents with metal wire screen. Use safety measures when climbing to and working on the roof. A scare on the ground is bad enough, but scares on a roof are really dangerous.
The tree frogs are also unwanted wildlife because they leave unsightly large droppings on porches, outdoor furniture and windowsills. Although the droppings are natural fertilizer, and the frogs eat lots of pesky insects and spiders, Cuban tree frogs do not win friends by leaving these presents.
Cuban tree frogs have also been known to cause power failures. They like to hide in small dark spaces such as electrical transformer boxes. When the frogs stretch to reach from one space to another, they can cause short circuits. Steve Johnson, a University of Florida IFAS Extension wildlife specialist, said one Cuban tree frog was identified as the reason for an entire town's loss of power.
Cuban tree frogs are a nuisance to people, but they also eat native frogs. UF biologists are evaluating the effect of this invasive species on natural ecosystems. In some areas, residents report that they are only seeing or hearing the Cuban frogs.
They do not try to hurt people, but they are not harmless. Their skin contains a mild irritant in its slime. If you do catch one, avoid touching your eyes and always wash your hands with soapy water afterward.
Johnson encourages residents to search and destroy the invasive Cuban tree frogs to give the native tree frogs some relief. Learn how to recognize native tree frogs and the Cuban ones by calling me at 321-697-3000, e-mailing efoe@osceola.org or visiting the extension office at Osceola Heritage Park.
Cuban tree frogs create nuisance on many levels