January 6th 2024.
Cannibal tree frogs, native to the Caribbean, are spreading from Florida to other US states and wildlife officials are warning that they must be killed. These amphibians, which can grow to the size of a human hand, pose an ecological threat and can cause serious damage.
Daniel Sollenberger, a biologist, shared with the Augusta Chronicle that people who come across these frogs should kill them and remove standing water from their homes. He also added that, "They start out small, but they can quickly grow as big as your hand. It's a really big tree frog. They can get three times the size of our next largest native tree frog, which is the barking tree frog."
The US Geological Survey has created a Cuban tree frog map to show the extent of the invasion, and it ranges from Florida to states as far north as Vermont. Sollenberger went on to say that there is evidence that these cannibal frogs can reduce native frog populations. He warned that, "If we want to have some native wildlife left in our yards, this could be a problem,"
In order to kill a cannibal tree frog, Sollenberger advises applying Orajel, a pain relief medication with benzocaine, or putting the frog in the freezer for 24 hours. He also encourages Georgians who spot these invasive species to report them to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division.
Cannibal tree frogs are not the only invasive animals to threaten the US recently. In November, wildlife experts warned of feral 'super pigs' which can spread diseases and destroy land that are multiplying in Canada and could cross into the US. It is clear that vigilance is necessary when it comes to protecting the US from invasive species.
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