A population of exotic invasive Cuban treefrogs has been discovered in New Orleans, more than 430 miles (700 kilometers) from the nearest known population in Florida, making this the first known breeding population in the mainland United States outside that state, reports a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey.
A population of exotic invasive Cuban treefrogs has been discovered in New Orleans, more than 430 miles (700 kilometers) from the nearest known population in Florida, making this the first known breeding population in the mainland United States outside that state, reports a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Cuban treefrogs can drive out native frogs and be a nuisance to homeowners. Native to Cuba, the Bahamas, and the Cayman Islands, Cuban treefrogs have successfully bred in Florida since at least 1951. Established populations of the treefrog species have also been found on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“Homeowners may be familiar with the nuisance species as they have noxious skin secretions, lay their eggs in bird baths and fish ponds, and they can clog plumbing and cause power outages by short-circuiting utility switches where they seek refuge,” said USGS Research Ecologist Brad Glorioso, the lead author of the study. “Cuban treefrogs grow much larger than native treefrogs, have been known to displace native treefrogs, and will even eat smaller frogs, often of their own species. A decline in native treefrogs could have consequences, since frogs act as both predator and prey in food webs.”
The invasive species may have hitched a ride on palm trees imported from Lake Placid, Florida, and planted in the Elephant Exhibit at the Audubon Zoo in March 2016. Elephant keepers noted the presence of unusual treefrogs soon thereafter.
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