A report from The St Kitts and Nevis Observer.
They are green, slimy, toxic, and they croak in Spanish. The Cuban Tree Frog is rapidly spreading across Jamaica, causing ecological and economic concerns.
First spotted in Clarendon, this invasive species has now reached eight of Jamaica’s 14 parishes. Experts from the National Environmental Planning Agency (NEPA) and the Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation (CCAM) are working to manage its impact and educate the public on control methods.
Leighton Mamdeen, an Environmental Officer at NEPA, explains that the Cuban Tree Frog likely arrived through shipping containers
Its ability to fit into small spaces allows it to travel unnoticed, increasing its spread across the island. Identifying the species is difficult for untrained observers, as some native frogs look similar.
However, Cuban Tree Frogs are distinguishable by their size—growing up to three inches long—long legs, large toe pads, warty skin, and varied colors, including white, green, brown, and orange.
These frogs pose a severe threat to Jamaica’s ecosystem. They are aggressive predators, feeding on native frogs, lizards, birds, and even small snakes. Since they have no natural predators in Jamaica, they disrupt the food chain and endanger local species. Their toxic mucus further ensures their survival, making them unsafe for predators.
Additionally, scientists worry about potential crossbreeding with native frogs, although no evidence has been found yet.
The invasion also affects human life. Their toxic skin secretions can irritate sensitive skin, and their unexpected presence in homes and public spaces often causes alarm. More worryingly, they have begun preying on bees in apiaries, threatening the livelihoods of beekeepers and potentially harming Jamaica’s agricultural sector.
NEPA and CCAM are taking a two-pronged approach—education and eradication. Public education efforts include community meetings where experts explain the frogs’ impact and management strategies. To control the population, authorities have deployed PVC pipe traps, which attract and capture the frogs. The captured frogs are then humanely euthanized.
To curb their breeding, citizens are urged to eliminate standing water, as Cuban Tree Frogs can lay up to 100 eggs at a time. Instead of using harmful chemicals like bleach or hot water, NEPA recommends humane euthanization by striking the frog at the back of its head with a blunt or sharp object.
Jamaicans are encouraged to report sightings by contacting NEPA via phone or social media and to submit photos and locations to help track and control the spread. Monitoring efforts are especially critical in protected areas like the Portland Bight, where endangered species, such as the Portland Ridge Cave Frog, reside.
As the Cuban Tree Frog population continues to grow, urgent action is needed. With public cooperation, Jamaica hopes to mitigate the environmental, agricultural, and social impacts of this invasive species.
A report from The St Kitts and Nevis Observer. They are green, slimy, toxic, and they croak in Spanish. The Cuban Tree Frog is rapidly spreading across Jamaica, causing ecological and economic concerns. First spotted in Clarendon, this invasive species has now reached eight of Jamaica’s 14 parishes. Experts from the National Environmental Planning Agency
