They are the size of your hand and will eat about anything they can overpower. Cuban tree frogs are now found in Florida. A few have been spotted in New England. Georgia officials ask residents there to kill them.
Osteopilus septentrionalis is native to Cuba and some of the surrounding Caribbean landmass. They eat other frogs and their tadpoles outcompete other tadpoles. Predators may avoid them due to a toxic skin secretion. Georgia is trying to tackle the problem immediately.
According to USA Today :
“Residents can contact the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division with possible sightings.” The newspaper said Georgia authorities recommend death by benzocaine. They suggest Orajel as a weapon of choice. Applied to the frog’s back the benzocaine in the product interferes with the amphibian’s nervous system. To be sure they suggest tossing the frog in the freezer for 24 hours.”
Nature’s disposal crew includes a number of snakes, owls, crows and wading birds.
Cuban tree frogs are the subject of study by the University of Florida which Lists some impacts:
“Ecological – Cuban Treefrogs prey on native frogs, small lizards, and small snakes; their tadpoles can out-compete native tadpoles for food or space; believed to be causing the decline of native treefrogs.
Human Health / Quality of Life – Cuban Treefrog skin secretes a mucus that can irritate eyes and nose, cause allergy-like symptoms, and even trigger asthma attacks; they breed loudly after midnight in pools, ponds, birdbaths, etc.; they invade toilets and can clog drains; they invade power boxes and cause power outages.”
The university suggests:
“For more info, read “The Cuban Treefrog in Florida” and follow the links to Cuban Treefrog Research and Citizen Science in the left-hand menu on this page.”
The Cuban tree frog is the latest in a number of invasive species to make Georgia their home. Authorities there are also concerned about 111 animal species. Some such as joro spiders have turned out to be benign. But many, including black-and-white tegus, can be a threat.