# Cuban Tree Frog (*Osteopilus septentrionalis*) The Cuban Tree Frog is a fun and colorful frog that loves to climb trees! It has big eyes and can make loud sounds, especially at night when it's looking for friends. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 18 - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Giant Tree Frog ![Cuban Tree Frog](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Hyla_septentrionalis_1.jpg&width=800) Photo: CC BY-SA 2.0 de · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hyla_septentrionalis_1.jpg) ## Appearance The Cuban Tree Frog has large, sticky toe pads and warty skin. Its color varies from gray to brown, green, or yellowish, often with darker blotches or stripes. They have notably large eyes. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Hylidae - **Genus:** Osteopilus ## Interesting facts - Female Cuban Tree Frogs lay thousands of tiny eggs at once! - These frogs can live for over 10 years in the right conditions. - They can eat other frogs, even some much bigger than themselves! - They often hide in pipes and under the eaves of houses. ## Special abilities - **Sticky Climber:** Cuban Tree Frogs have super sticky toe pads that allow them to climb smooth surfaces like windows with ease. - **Color Changer:** Cuban Tree Frogs can change their skin color to match their surroundings, helping them hide from predators and prey. - **Skin Shield:** Cuban Tree Frogs have a mildly toxic skin secretion that deters some predators when they feel threatened. - **Saltwater Survivor:** Cuban Tree Frogs can tolerate brackish water, which helps them colonize new areas by surviving sea travel. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 3-14 cm - **Weight:** 0.014-0.12 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Clutch Size:** 100-4000 - **Metamorphosis:** 20-30 days ## Diet & Feeding A hungry hunter, this frog eats many kinds of insects and even other small frogs! - **Age differences:** Tadpoles eat algae and decaying plant matter before becoming carnivorous adults. - **Primary Foods:** insects, spiders, snails, small lizards, smaller frogs, tree frog eggs - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Greenhouse Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/greenhouse-frog) (*Eleutherodactylus planirostris*) — outcompetes and preys on native frogs. - **Hunts:** Green Anole (*Anolis carolinensis*) — actively preys on these common lizards. - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — juveniles may be prey for some snake species. - **Hunts:** [Southern Leopard Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/southern-leopard-frog) (*Lithobates sphenocephala*) — eats eggs and juveniles of this native frog. ## Traits - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always wash your hands after touching frogs, as they can have special skin that might not be safe. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Cuban Tree Frog? Check the toe pads, leg length, eye markings, back pattern and body shape. Don't lean on color: some frogs change shade to match their surroundings. Frog Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Cuban Tree Frog? 3-14 cm ### How much does Cuban Tree Frog weigh? 0.014-0.12 kg ### How long does Cuban Tree Frog live? 5-10 years ### What does Cuban Tree Frog eat? A hungry hunter, this frog eats many kinds of insects and even other small frogs! ### Where is Cuban Tree Frog usually found? Forests ### How does Cuban Tree Frog hunt? Ambush ### How many eggs does Cuban Tree Frog lay? 100-4000 ## Where to spot - [Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fairchild-tropical-botanic-garden) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Flamingo Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/flamingo-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Disney's Animal Kingdom](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/disneys-animal-kingdom) — Florida, US · Zoo - [American Orchid Society Visitors Center and Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/american-orchid-society-visitors-center-and-botanical-garden) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Butterfly World](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/butterfly-world) — Florida, US · Zoo - [Edison and Ford Winter Estates](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/edison-and-ford-winter-estates) — US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Cuban Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/cuban-tree-frog) ## More Amphibians - [Eastern Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon cinereus*) - [California Slender Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-slender-salamander) (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*) - [European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad) (*Bufo bufo*) - [Western Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon vehiculum*) --- Source: [Cuban Tree Frog: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cuban-tree-frog)