INVASIVEalert

Cuban tree frog photo by Munkel, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

cuban tree frog

By Sara Tangren

Cuban tree frogs (Osteopilus septentrionalis) were first imported into Florida in 1951, and have since spread into parts of Louisiana and Georgia. At up to 5.5 inches long, they are much larger than native frog species. Cuban tree frogs harm native frogs directly by eating them or indirectly by spreading diseases and parasites. Cuban tree frogs are being imported into the Washington, DC, region, mostly by online stores that sell houseplants purchased from nurseries in Florida. Unlike native frogs, Cuban tree frogs get inside buildings, plumbing, utility boxes, abandoned vehicles, etc. Once inside, they become a nuisance to humans by exuding skin irritants, defecating on walls, clogging drains, and poisoning pets. Cuban tree frogs can spread deadly diseases like chytrid to native frogs whether they survive cold winters or not. However, given their ability to withstand short periods of being frozen; their ability to get inside warm, sheltered areas; and the milder winters brought by climate change, it is probable that some Cuban tree frogs will survive winters in our region. iNaturalist is a repository for observations made by citizen scientists. As of July 20, 2021, its database contained four reports of Cuban tree frogs in Virginia, two from Maryland, and none in the District of Columbia. The bigger picture: Cuban tree frogs are not the only invasive species that can hitch a ride in potted plants. Every year, thousands of potted plants are imported into the Mid-Atlantic U.S. region and some of them contain non-native species. Hitchhikers (seeds, pathogens, eggs, snails, worms, lizards, and frogs, to name a few) have been transported in potted plants or in potting soil. You can help reduce the importation of invasive species by checking over your purchases for any unexpected organisms. You can also help by purchasing plants and seeds from local, licensed nurseries. Licensed dealers participate in an established inspection process that reduces the likelihood of spreading invasive species. What to do if you discover a Cuban tree frog on your new plant? Cuban tree frogs don’t make good pets. They are hazardous to people, dogs, and cats. However, please do not let the Cuban tree frog outdoors. It is probable that many native frogs will die if you do. This is why, in many jurisdictions (including Washington, DC), it is illegal to possess or trade such exotic animals as pets. Your best, simplest option is to seek help from an animal rescue organization. They will also report the occurrence to the local department of the environment, so steps can be taken to prevent the shipping of any more frogs. Washington, DC’s Cruelty Ordinance prohibits intentionally harming any animal in your possession. Non-DC residents should check your local regulations before proceeding to euthanize a frog. Instructions for the euthanization procedure are available from the University of Florida. o

Sara A. Tangren, Ph.D., is the coordinator of National Capital PRISM, Department of Energy & Environment, Government of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC. She can be reached at sara.tangren@dc.gov.

Cuban tree frog photo by Thomas Brown, CC BY 2.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Resources

• Johnson, Steve. 2017. The Cuban Treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) in Florida. WEC218. University of Florida IFAS https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw259.

• U.S. Geological Survey, NAS - Nonindigenous Aquatic Species: Cuban tree frog. https://nas.er.usgs.gov/ queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=57.