Wildlife: Cuban Treefrog

 

Cuban Tree FrogOsteopilus septentrionalis; (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman)

 
 
 
This Cuban Tree Frog is silver with water as his skin absorbs the first rain after a long drought.
 
Photo by: Denise Bodden
 
Cuban Tree Frog on Little Cayman
Photo by: Pedrin Lopez
 

Size: up to 5.5 inches SVL* – This is one of the largest tree frogs in the world and females are significantly bigger than males. This tree frog has large toe pads and granular skin that is extremely variable in colour and pattern consisting of varying shades of green, gray and brown. Vocalization is a raspy, low croak. Eggs are laid in water. Habitat is fresh water ponds for breeding, however, this frog is frequently found resting above ground in tree cavities and often on tree trunks and the undersides of leaves and under eaves on the sides of buildings, especially where some moisture is available such as near cisterns. Also called “bullfrogs,” they are active at night. They have some tolerance for brackish water, shows less endemicism and appears to have crossed saltwater barriers more easily than some other species. It feeds entirely on insects.

 
* Key:
SVL Snout to Vent Length
TL

Total Length (including tail)

   
 
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