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- Cuban Tree Frog
Hyla [Osteopilus] septentrionalis
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- Taxonomy
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- Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Subclass: Anapsida
- Order: Anura
Suborder: Neobatrachia
- Family: Hylidae
- Subfamily: Hylinae
Genus: Hyla [Osteopilus] - Species: septentrionalis
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I. Introduction
A hardy and adaptable species, the Cuban tree frog, native to Cuba, the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands is a pest species in south Florida where it has accidentally been introduced. With a voracious appetite and relatively wide tolerance for environmental conditions, these frogs eat and compete with endemic herpetofauna.
The Cuban is North America's largest tree frog, reaching lengths of 3.8-14.0 cm (1.5-5.5") SVL. Skin colour and pattern is variable: Olive green, brown, bronze or gray with a mottled, marbled or spotted pattern and warty texture. The skin on top of its head is fused to its skull. It has very large toepads, the size of the tympana (eardrums). Males may have a darker throat than females, and males will also develop nuptial pads on their palms during breeding season.
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An example of colour and pattern variation. |
II. Behaviour
This arboreal amphibian is nocturnal. During the day, it typically sleeps on a branch high in the enclosure, and at night it sits and waits for prey to wander by. Occasionally, males will croak; their call has a variable pitch, a rasping or grating snoring sound.
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Notice the very large toepads on this species. |
III. Diet
This tree frog, like all others, is
carnivorous, and is not usually picky about its prey. They will accept a variety of prey, including crickets, mealworms, cockroaches, and silkworms. Fatty prey such as wax worms and pinky mice should be avoided, as these frogs' sedentary lifestyle predisposes them to becoming obese, especially when owners overfeed. Young, growing frogs can be fed every other day, but as adults they should not be fed more than once or twice a week. Feed them as much as they will consume in 10 minutes, then remove any uneaten prey.
Young frogs should have their prey dusted with calcium and a multivitamin powder daily. This can be reduced to 2-4 times a week when the frog is close to fully grown.
A water dish should be present in the enclosure, and it should be changed daily and cleaned whenever soiled. All water used in the enclosure should be treated with a dechlorinator and heavy metal detoxifier.
IV. Housing
Probably the most widely used enclosure for this species is a simple glass aquarium. While a very young frog can be kept in a 38L (ten gallon) tank, an active adult needs more space, no less than 95 litres (25 gallons), and larger is always better. The terrarium is best oriented vertically, since this species is arboreal. The enclosure top should be screen if a glass tank is used, for adequate ventilation. The top should either be heavy or be held firmly in place by latches of some sort so that the frog cannot escape.
Cagemates should be avoided with these enthusiastic eaters, as they will devour even members of their own species. There should be no more than a centimetre (1/2") difference in size between cagemates to avoid completely eaten animals, and they should be monitored carefully during feeding to ensure that no hands or feet are damaged by overzealous cagemates.
A very simple enclosure for these frogs includes branches, plants, a water dish, and in this case paper towel substrate. This is a standard 10 gallon aquarium stood on its side (with a modified lid) to allow a vertically-oriented habitat, which is more suitable for these arboreal frogs. |
This tree frog naturally lives in a forest
habitat, or around human buildings. They will thrive in either a naturalistic or simple enclosure, but there are several elements that must be present. These frogs, being tree-dwellers, need several branches on which to climb, and the branches must be wider than the frog to prevent them from falling off while climbing. Place them vertically, horizontally, and at varying diagonal angles so that the frog may choose how it wants to perch.
A place where the frog can get out of view is also needed, and should be oriented so that these arboreal frogs can make the best use of it. Hide spots on the ground are useless to the frog. Drape live or fake plants over branches, or provide hollow bamboo sticks with an entry hole. They should not have to travel to the ground to hide!
Substrate can range from paper towel, soft foam rubber, to plain potting soil (without perlite or vermiculite) or large, polished river rocks that are too big to be swallowed. They are clumsy eaters, and accidentally swallowed substrate can lead to serious intestinal impactions that require veterinary attention. Because of this, substrate like gravel, sand and woodchips are best avoided.
It is very important that the enclosure is kept as clean as possible, since frogs absorb much of what's around them through their porous skin. |
V. Heating, Lighting, and Humidity
Although these frogs can withstand considerable temperature drops, a daytime temperature range of 20-29C (75-85F) should be maintained. An overhead heat source like a low-wattage incandescent bulb may be used, or a side-mounted heating pad.
Since this frog is nocturnal, no
ultraviolet lighting is necessary. Allow a
photoperiod of about 12 hours.
Humidity in the tank should range from 30-70% in different areas, and can be achieved by misting every other day with treated water. A sopping wet tank is not suitable for these amphibians.
Last modified: Thursday, September 21, 2006
Sources:
- Bartlett, R.D. and Bartlett, P. 1996. Frogs, Toads and Treefrogs. New York: Barron's Educational Series, Inc.
- Behler, J. L. and F. W. King. 1995. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
- Edmonds, D. 2005. "Amphibiancare.com >> Cuban Tree Frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) Care." Amphibiancare.com. <http://www.amphibiancare.com/frogs/caresheets/cubantreefrog.html>
- Jacob, U., F. Jürgen and K. Richter. 1988. The Completely Illustrated Atlas of Reptiles and Amphibians for the Terrarium. New Jersey : T.F.H. Publications Inc.
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