what the hell is this toad/frog?

[spinetingler]

note: this is lifesize: (about 5" in legth)

http://pressomatic.com/ccpl/upload/multimedia/toadofdeath.jpg

took this picture on our front porch last night.
All the other little green tree frogs seemed to have disappeared, too.

We're read of an invasive species coming up from florida (no, not fluff) so maybe it's here.

[Tess]

That looks like a plain ole all-American toad to me. They are getting very rare, so take care of your boy.

[SBL]

did you lick it?

;)

sbl

[fluffy]

That looks like a plain ole all-American toad to me. They are getting very rare, so take care of your boy.


yeah that would be my guess too. ive noticed a few little froglets hopping around here lately too. not sure of their breeding time or year or anything, but the little ones do seem to be popping up a lot lately. down here anyways.

[JCWhite]

note: this is lifesize: (about 5" in legth)

http://pressomatic.com/ccpl/upload/multimedia/toadofdeath.jpg

took this picture on our front porch last night.
All the other little green tree frogs seemed to have disappeared, too.

We're read of an invasive species coming up from florida (no, not fluff) so maybe it's here.

Ya ever tried Frog Legs? Yummmm... they are tasty!

[~Rumormonger~]

Frog Baseball!

[DnB]

American toads seem much bumpier than that guy.

[pixeljockey]

Ya ever tried Frog Legs? Yummmm... they are tasty!

Yes! Almost as good as Einstein Wings w/ Chipotle Glaze.

[JCWhite]

Yes! Almost as good as Einstein Wings w/ Chipotle Glaze.

Actually I prefer my exotic birds with a white wine reduction sauce.
Ohh ...that exotic gamey taste.
Sux when you get a feather in your mouth though!

[WhitesCreek]

Was it on a wall? And how accurate is the color. A toad, it ain't.

Steve

[Tess]

He is in Charleston, SC. I am assuming that the more yellow color is a regional thing. Looks like a toad to me.

[rikki]

I don't know amphibians very well, but I'm pretty sure that is a frog, not a toad. For starters, I don't think toads climb vertical surfaces, and the shape of the head and eyes is more froggy. It looks like a leopard frog that lost its spots.

[Tess]

Okay. But, it is still cute, and you can send to me, Spiney, if you don't want it.

[spinetingler]

Was it on a wall? And how accurate is the color. A toad, it ain't.

Steve

It was on a wall, and the color looks pretty accurate to me. If anything, it looks a little more green in the picture than it did live.

[spinetingler]

Okay. But, it is still cute, and you can send to me, Spiney, if you don't want it.


Dead or alive?

[Tess]

That statement matches your avatar too well. Hope it isn't rubbing off on you! Alive, or course! I found an image of a coin purse that looks just like your boy, but can't figure out how to get them to stick to the posts.

[spinetingler]

We've sent this photo to several local biology types, and no one can as yet ID it. We've been asked to capture it.

(we did - it's in a box in the garage - probably summoning by esp all the other alien killer frogs)

[Tess]

Don't let that poor thing die while you wait for the local biology types to come id it. I haven't yet heard from anybody about my alien YJs.

If it is an alien, so be it. LET IT LIVE!

(I agree, your frog/toad is a little different.) But, the offer still stands.

[metulj]

Rana c. clamitans -- Bronze frog, I am guessing.

Probably a female based on it's tympanic membranes, but I don't know if they are climbers. How big is she?

Some people have bird life lists, I've been working on frogs. I've never seen a bronze frog, but I heard them in North Carolina near my mom's best friend's place near Lumberton.

Sort of a classic 'brreeebeet' croak. I don't think they vocalize as much as the dark northern subspecies. I have a great book on frogs (still packed) that goes into the details.

EDIT: Upon further review, that's a treefrog, metulj. Read the fucking Post, metulj. And this makes it a no-brainer. It is not either a Gray Treefrog or a Cope's Treefrog. I am saying Cuban Treefrong. You have quite a cool and not so common frog there. Why is it in South Cackalacky? That's a Florida frog. Find a nice place to let her go. I still say it's a female.

[~Rumormonger~]

Why is it in South Cackalacky?

I dunno, ask Al Gore ;~)

[spinetingler]

It does in fact appear to be a Cuban Tree frog, quite possibly the first found in SC. One has previously been found as far north as Savannah, GA.
Wifey (or Nature Woman) may be the first SC discoverer.

It is normally in FL, but is an invasive species that is (apparently) moving up the coast running off the regular ol' frogs. We've noticed a distinct lack of our cute tree frogs this week.

[Tess]

What do it do to run off the regulars? A Cuban, eh? I noticed it looked an awful lot like a regular tree frog, only twice as big.

[spinetingler]

What do it do to run off the regulars?
It had them come over for dinner.

[rikki]

If in your communications about this critter with scientists you should happen to talk with Todd Campbell at the University of Tampa, please tell him Rikki Hall says hello. He does a lot of work with invasive animals, anolis lizards in particular. He's also a good drummer, and he and his wife authored a book on Big South Fork trails.

In other words, contact Todd Campbell about yr froggy!

[spinetingler]

In other words, contact Todd Campbell about yr froggy!

Done. Thanks.

[spinetingler]

So last night I sent out a bunch of emails to biologists, herpetologists, etc.
Today the inbox is full of emails, some nearly hysterical, suggesting that we need to capture it immediately (which we did two days ago) and perhaps euthanize it (putting it in the freezer is the most common suggestion).
We think we will actually give it to the Charleston aquarium, as they've asked for it.

riddip.

[SnM]

Hey, good on you for not going the euthanasia route, dissected for being different. It's not easy being yellow in a mean, green world.

Kermit was a sellout.

[spinetingler]

on the other hand...
http://www.kickassbbq.com/froglegs2.jpg

[DnB]

There's just something very pornographic about that plate.

[~Rumormonger~]

on the other hand...
http://www.kickassbbq.com/froglegs2.jpg


There's just something very pornographic about that plate.

Lesbian Cheerleader froglegs?

[DnB]

I just can't look at it without giggling.
It's just, um, too much.

[shady lane]

http://www.spundreams.com/holiday/cheerfrog.gif

or

http://www.muppetcentral.com/_images/appearances/tour_kermit_high.jpg

[Tess]

http://www.wec.ufl.edu/extension/frogs/photos/large/CTF%20by%20Blake%20Meinecke_closeup.JPG

I still think they are cute. Info below, they DO say to kill them if you see them.

http://www.wec.ufl.edu/extension/frogs/osteopilus_septentrionalis.htm

http://www.wec.ufl.edu/extension/frogs/photos/large/CTF%20by%20Tom%20and%20Sally%20Elliott.JPG

[DnB]

Cute, but deadly.


That's because Cuban treefrogs are voracious eaters -- and unfortunately they eat Florida's native frogs, toads, and lizards, in addition to insects and spiders. In fact, Cuban treefrogs are SO successful at taking over habitat and eating Florida's native species that they are considered an invasive exotic (non-native) species -- they are a threat to the biodiversity of Florida's native ecosystems and wildlife.

Goodness.

[spinetingler]

Froggies new home:

http://www.reptilesafari.org/

You may have seen this guy on animal planet.