Amphibians Cuban Tree Frog | Green House Frog
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Two species of frogs occur naturally on San Salvador. However, at least one introduced species of treefrog has been found (W. K. Hayes and S. Buckner, unpublished observation) and needs to be documented with a photograph or specimen. Tragically, frogs and other amphibians are disappearing rapidly throughout the world, apparently the result of many causes, including habitat loss. Because of their soft, highly-permeable skin and dependence on moisture, they are especially vulnerable to pollutants in rain and standing water. Cuban Tree Frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis)
This large frog (often 3-4 inches or 75-100 mm long) has wart-like skin
with scattered dark blotches on whitish, grayish, olive, or brownish
skin. Its belly is creamy white. Small but noticeable toe pads allow
this species to climb readily on vegetation and houses alike. When
handled, the skin secretion can be mildly irritating, but these frogs
are safe to handle. Bear in mind that mosquito repellent on your skin
will be transferred, perhaps fatally, to the frog. Occurring in both mesic (wet) and xeric (dry) areas, this frog is seen more often at night, especially during and following rainstorms. One can often find them in high corners of buildings, both inside and outside. Like most frogs, it usually occupies freshwater areas but it can also occur in brackish (partly salty) water. Its diet consists of small insects (e.g., roaches, beetles, crickets, moths, caterpillars), small crustaceans, and other frogs. Its voice, heard most often at night and during or after rain, resembles an irregular, rasping snore. It can also utter a warning shriek or scream when attacked by a predator. It will call year-round but most frequently during March to September. The female lays 100 or more eggs that are fertilized simultaneously by the male. The eggs hatch as tadpoles about one day later. The tadpoles, having a head and tail and lacking legs, must live in water where they feed on algae and occasionally eat each other. During several months of growth, the tadpoles eventually absorb their tails and sprout legs, leaving the water as small (half-inch or 15 mm long) frogs with broad stripes on their sides. Green House Frog (Eleutherodactylus planirostris)
This tiny frog can be recognized by its small size (usually less than 1 inch or 25 mm long) and dark chevrons and spots on a yellow- to tan-colored skin. Because of its fragility, you could easily injure it by picking it up in your fingers. More than 120 species of Greenhouse Frogs occur in the West Indies. The form that occurs on San Salvador can also be found on the Great Bahama Bank (except South Bimini and New Providence Islands), Cat Island, and Little San Salvador Island. It occupies both mesic (wet) and xeric (dry) forest, where it can be found in solution holes and beneath rocks, palm fronds, stumps, and coral fragments. It also frequents human habitations, where one can encounter it under debris in gardens and well-watered nurseries and beneath flower pots. It eats primarily insects, especially ants. Greenhouse frogs can be heard much more often than seen, especially during and after rainstorms. Its voice is somewhat bell-like, with a series of irregularly-pitched chirps. Breeding from May to September, this frog secretes its eggs in a damp location. The hatchlings emerge several weeks later and resemble adults. Unfortunately, Greenhouse Frogs of this and other species have been introduced to many parts of the world, where they have become ecologically destructive. Because of their easy export in nursery plants (where they readily escape detection) and high reproductive capacity, they are regarded among the 100 worst invasive species. Hawaii, for example, has a huge problem with introduced populations.
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