An infestation of invasive cannibal frogs threatens to wreak havoc in Georgia, and wildlife officials are concerned about their ecological and economic impacts in the US.
What are Cannibal Tree Frogs?
Cannibal tree frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) is a large frog species native to Cuba, the Bahamas, and the Cayman Islands. Also known as the Cuban tree frog, it can grow up to more than 6 inches (15 centimeters) in length, which makes it the largest tree frog in North America. Its color can vary, ranging from white to gray, brown, and green, and may be marked with dark, irregular stripes or blotches that fade when the frog changes color.
This amphibian starts small but can quickly grow as big as a human hand. It can get three times the size of the barking tree frog, the second largest native tree frog in the US.
Like all frogs, the Cuban tree frogs are carnivores who tend to eat a lot of insects and anything they can fit in their mouth. This cannibal species can even eat smaller tree frogs. The huge frog also secretes irritating liquid from their skin when touched, with consequences to humans and small animals that 'remain understudied.'
Threats from Invasive Species
According to biologist Daniel Sollenberger, the frogs were probably transported into the state accidentally and were allowed to breed in retention ponds or standing water in ditches. He said this frog is the amphibian to be concerned about next to the White Tegus and Argentine Black.
It is also assumed that they came from Florida, where their population is growing to invasive levels. Sollenberger also noted some anecdotal evidence from Florida that these animals can reduce the populations of native species.
The Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division in Georgia started documenting the Cuban tree frogs in the area in 2023 due to their potential to cause ecological damage. US Geological Survey maps also reveal that the frogs have spread outside Georgia, nudging out native frog species in Florida and reaching as far north as Vermont. There are also reports that the frogs have hitched rides as far north as Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Despite their range, the Cannibal tree frogs do not do well with the cold, but they learned to take advantage of the things humans build their houses of. Sollenberger believes the frogs find warm spots in infrastructures such as electrical boxes to stay warm. A study also suggests that global warming has allowed them to survive further north.
Sollenberger encourages residents to remove standing water from their properties and kill the invasive frogs when they are spotted. He also recommends applying the pain relief drug Orajel on the frog's back since it contains local anesthetic benzocaine, which can knock them out. A guide by the University of Florida also suggests putting the Cuban tree frog in the freezer for 24 hours to ensure it dies from the benzocaine.
Invasive species are organisms that are not indigenous or native to a particular area. They are dangerous and can also potentially cause ecological or economic damage like crop damage. They also threaten to eat competitors as they crowd them out of the food chain. Some exotic animals are not from Georgia but are not classified as invasive, like the Mediterranean gecko found in the Augusta area.
RELATED ARTICLE: Economic Damage of Invasive Species Across the Globe Amounts to $16.3 Billion: Bullfrog and Snake the Worst Offenders
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