Cuban Treefrog
Osteopilus septentrionalis
Summary 6
The Cuban tree frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) is an amphibian native to the Caribbean region of the Western Hemisphere. It is the largest tree frog of North America. Its wide diet and ability to thrive amongst humans has made it a highly invasive species with established colonies in northern Florida, the Hawaiian island of Oahu, and thorough the Caribbean Islands. They range in size from 3 to 5.5 in (76 to 140 mm) and vary in color from olive-brown and bronze to gray...
Diagnosis 7
The Cuban tree frog ranges in size from 3 to 5.5 in (76 to 140 mm) in length. It is the largest tree frog in North America. It has a rough, warty skin.[1] Its toepads are much larger than those of other tree frogs, and it often has an orange tint to its eyes.[2] It varies in color from olive-brown or bronze to gray[2] or grayish-white.[3]
Cuban tree frogs can change colors depending on their temperature and environment. Many individuals have darker splotches on the back, and some splotchy banding on the legs. In many individuals, the hidden surfaces of their legs are bright yellow. When the frog leaps to avoid a predator, these bright-yellow patches are visible, and may help to confuse the predator. Also, the skin on their heads is fused to the skull; if the head of an adult frog is rubbed (between the eyes), the skin does not move. This special adaptation prevents water loss, since fewer blood vessels occur in the "co-ossified" (fused) area. When handled, Cuban tree frogs secrete a toxic mucus from their skin. In humans, this can cause an allergic reaction or burning sensation to the eyes and nose, and even trigger asthma.
Conservation 7
This species is very common and has no need for conservation.
Sources and Credits 7
- Long, Kim (1999). Frogs a Wildlife Handbook. Boulder, Colorado: Johnson Books. p. 72. ISBN 1-55566-226-9.
- Badger, David (1995). Frogs. Stillwater, Minnesota: Voyageur Press, Inc. p. 76. ISBN 0-89658-674-X.
- Grenard, Steve (2008). Frogs and Toads. Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley Publishing Inc. pp. 95–96. ISBN 978-0-470-16510-2.
Sources and Credits
- (c) copepodo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), http://www.flickr.com/photos/63661371@N00/1276449744
- (c) Allan Hopkins, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), https://www.flickr.com/photos/hoppy1951/19491036832/
- (c) Thomas Brown, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/63048706@N06/6161210461/
- (c) Mark Yokoyama, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), https://www.flickr.com/photos/theactionitems/34935280100/
- (c) Thomas Brown, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/63048706@N06/8575065606/
- Adapted by calebcam from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osteopilus_septentrionalis
- (c) calebcam, some rights reserved (CC BY-ND)
