Would You Like to be a Citizen Scientist?

Dr. Steve Johnson at the University of Florida has been collecting reports of Cuban Treefrog sightings in Florida for many years. Cuban Treefrogs are common in Florida's suburbCuban Treefrogan and urban areas, and have become a huge nuisance to humans. As a result, more Floridians are becoming involved and taking action to help manage these frogs in their neighborhoods. Some people even report that they have seen more native treefrogs after they started to capture and humanely euthanize Cuban Treefrogs.

Now, we are asking Floridians to participate in a Citizen Scientist project by taking the time to report their efforts. How many Cuban Treefrogs have you captured and euthanized? How big were they? When and where did you catch them? By providing this information, you can help us to learn more about the ecology of Cuban Treefrogs in suburban areas of Florida and the effectiveness of efforts by citizens to manage these invasive frogs. Read more below to learn how to participate.

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Collecting Data

Before you begin collecting data, you will need to print the Cuban Treefrog Citizen Science data sheet. Click here to view and print the data sheet (27 KB pdf). Fill out the top of the data sheet with some information about yourself -- your name, complete address of the location where you caught the frogs, and your email address. If you catch frogs at several locations (e.g., home and work), please use a separate data sheet for each location.

Data to collect for each frog you observe:

  • PHOTOS - photos are essential, since they document the accuracy of your data. Digital photo file names should include frog number, capture date, and observer name (For example, Johnson_Frog1_1Jan2010.jpg).  
    • Photograph the frog in place where you found it (on the wall, in a plant, etc.) - just in case it escapes before you capture it.
    • After you capture the frog, take another photo of the frog next to a ruler or other size reference. If the frog is a Cuban Treefrog, you will probably find it is easier to photograph the frog after it has been euthanized.

photographing a treefrogphotographing a treefrog

  • DATE CAPTURED - write the date the frog was captured, including the full year to avoid confusion (For example, write 2010, not 10)
  • HOW AND WHERE CAPTURED - provide as much information as possible about the location where the frog was found and captured. If you just observed the frog, but were unable to catch it, make a note here. If you see a native treefrog and prefer not to catch it and measure it, just make a note of your observation here, and try to photograph the frog.
  • FROG SIZE - Since data shows that Cuban Treefrogs in northern Florida don't grow as large as those in the Caribbean, this information may be very important. After you catch and euthanize a Cuban Treefrog, measure the frog, and write down the length in millimeters (if possible). You can measure the frog while it is still in a clear plastic bag. Place the frog onto a ruler, and line its nose up with the zero mark. Press gently on the middle of the frog's back to flatten the "hinge" between the frog's spine and pelvis. Record the frog's length as the point marked by the tip of the rear end.

measuring a treefrogmeasuring a treefrogmeasuring a treefrog

  • FROG SEX  - check the frog for external tell-tale signs that will tell you if it is male or female. Check the "hands" for nuptial pads used by males to grip females during mating -- the nuptial pad is the dark callus indicated by the red arrow in the photo at left below. Also look at the groin area where the leg meets the lower belly -- can you see eggs through the body wall? The eggs are small (BB-sized), and look half black/half white - like the eggs shown in the photo on the left. Make notes on your data sheet if you see nuptial pads or eggs, and take photos of these characteristics if possible.

nuptial padfrog eggs

 

Reporting Data                                                                     (Back to Index)

Report your data at least once per quarter (every 3 months). After your first successful report, you will receive an official "Cuban Treefrog Citizen Scientist" certificate and an observer number that you should include on all future reports.

  • EMAIL - Email your data sheet and photos to Monica McGarrity at monicaem@ufl.edu 
  • FAX - Fax your data sheet and photos to Monica McGarrity at (813) 707-7399
  • SNAIL MAIL - Mail your data sheet and photos to

ATTN: Monica McGarrity

University of Florida

1200 N. Park Rd.

Plant City, FL 33563

Capturing Treefrogs                                                           (Back to Index)

Treefrogs can be easily captured by hand -- however, you should use a plastic bag to cover your hand when catching Cuban Treefrogs, as shown in the image on the left below. Cuban Treefrogs secrete a noxious slime that can temporarily irritate your eyes and nose, so be careful! You could also use benzocaine spray (see Euthanizing Treefrogs below) to spray hard to reach frogs -- the frogs will quickly become comatose and fall to the ground. Lastly, you can use PVC treefrog houses to attract and capture even more treefrogs. Read the fact sheets below for more information.

catching a treefrogtreefrog traps

 

Identifying Treefrogs                                                          (Back to Index)

There are several species of treefrogs that may be found in suburban areas, including invasive Cuban treefrogs and native Green, Squirrel, Barking, and Pinewoods Treefrogs. For tips on how to identify these species, visit our treefrog photo gallery pages and read the handout below.

Euthanizing Treefrogs                                                       (Back to Index)

Cuban Treefrogs are invasive, but are living animals and should always be treated humanely. We recommend a two-part method to humanely euthanize these frogs and ensure that the method was successful.

  • BENZOCAINE - Purchase toothache gel or sunburn or first aid spray containing 20% benzocaine from your local drugstore. Sprays containing 5% lidocaine will also work, but may work a bit more slowly and require a lot more spray. Liberally rub or spray the frog (while it is in a bag, preferably) with the benzocaine. Try not to get the benzocaine in the frog's eyes, as it may cause pain. The frog will become comatose within about a minute, and will soon die.
  • FREEZING  - We recommend that you place the treated frog into the freezer for 24 hours to make sure that it is euthanized and will not wake up later in a plastic bag in the garbage. If the frog is not already comatose, it will simply go into a hibernation-like state and never wake up. The benzocaine will ensure that the frog does not feel any pain from freezing.

euthanizing invasive cuban treefrogeuthanizing invasive cuban treefrog

More About Cuban Treefrogs                                          (Back to Index)

To learn more about Cuban Treefrogs, read the fact sheet below, and follow the links listed under research in the index on the left side of the page.

 

Questions? Email monicaem@ufl.edu for more information.