Something That Goes "Bump" in the Night

[Junebug]

It never fails. Whenever I'm at my computer during the night I hear a familiar "bump" on the office window. At first I thought it was the neighbors cat chasing bugs, but eventually discovered that the noise came from a large tree frog who dines on insects that are attracted to the light. I managed to get a few pictures of the little guy as he was feasting on bugs outside the window. This was not our first encounter. He seems to enjoy hanging out on the side of my Oncidium pot and occassionally I see him nestled in a Spider plant growing in the same area. As you can see, he remained calm during tonights photo session.

[flhiker]

Live in pest control. You gotta love that!!

[gmdiaz]

Oooh, it's just beautiful!

Wonder what kind it is?

[Dorothy]

It looks to be some kind of treefrog .. from the Hylidae Family ..

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by gmdiaz

Oooh, it's just beautiful!

Wonder what kind it is?

After a little research I found that this is a Cuban Treefrog and their colors change from pale cream to the colors you see in the photo. They're not native, and their diet consists of frogs, lizards, snails, and insects. They are considered a threat as they eat the native species. When I was a child I used to see small bright green tree frogs and cameleon lizards all of the time. Its been at least 30 years since I last saw a native tree frog. We also have a population explosion of a non-native lizards. It's a rare treat to see a cameleon, but I spotted one a few days ago scampering up my back yard palm tree.

[Michele400]

Hi June -

Where in Melbourne do you live? You don't have to give your exact address! Just curious as I'm in West Melbourne. You have beautiful orchids!

[Ross]

Cuban treefrogs are indeed a threat and invasive species. While cute, they do a real danger on the native population.

[Tindomul]

Nice shots. You should keep it as a pet.

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by Michele400

Hi June -

Where in Melbourne do you live? You don't have to give your exact address! Just curious as I'm in West Melbourne. You have beautiful orchids!

Thank you. I live near Lake Washington Road and Stewart Road which is about 1 mile North of Eau Gallie High School. How about you? Did you go to the Orchid Show at the Shriner's Temple on Eau Gallie Blvd. a couple of weeks ago? I did. Perhaps we bumped into each other.

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

Nice shots. You should keep it as a pet.

He is kind of a pet. We encounter each other on a daily basis. I've lived in my current home for 3 years and have only seen 2 like him on the property. I was interested to read that his diet consists of snails. I have nothing against snails but just don't like them eating my orchids and I don't like to kill things. It's interesting to see the 45 year evolution of critters in this area. The frogs, snails, and lizards are different than the ones the inhabited the same area when I was a child. The introduced species have already got a major foothold. Although they have eaten or displaced the natives they still are beneficial as they do a killer job on the insect population...especially the Palmetto Bugs and Mosquitos.