This cute, invasive species of tree frog is headed toward Texas

The U.S. Geological Survey warns that a species of Cuban tree frog has made the leap from Florida and is slowing making its way west. The U.S. Geological Survey warns that a species of Cuban tree frog has made the leap from Florida and is slowing making its way west. Photo: Brad Glorioso/USGS Photo: Brad Glorioso/USGS Image 1 of / 23 Caption Close This cute, invasive species of tree frog is headed toward Texas 1 / 23 Back to Gallery

Could a cute and invasive species of tree frog be coming to Texas? Chances are it's already here.

The U.S. Geological Survey warns that a species of Cuban tree frog has made the leap from Florida and is slowing making its way west.

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The frogs, which can eat smaller frogs and grow as large as an adult's fist, are already in New Orleans. It's thought that they came to the Big Easy on Florida palm trees planted at the city's Audubon Zoo.

A recent USGS report written by Brad Glorioso details the tree frog and its history in the United States. They may look cute, but think again.

"They have noxious skin secretions, lay their eggs in bird baths and fish ponds, and they can clog plumbing and cause power outages by short-circuiting utility switches where they seek refuge," Glorioso said in a news release.

He told Chron.com this week that there is already one Texas report of the Cuban tree frog on the USGS books, at a YMCA complex in The Woodlands.

"More than likely there have been other unreported sightings," he said. "These animals hitch rides as stowaways on plants, vehicles, cargo and other means from peninsular Florida where they have been established for decades."

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The Cuban tree frogs also will like our weather along the Gulf Coast since they are native to Cuba, the Bahamas and Cayman Islands.

"Coastal and Southern areas of Texas, I believe, would be the first places they may become established where the climate is mild. These animals are originally from the Caribbean area, so they like it warm," Glorioso said. "But it has been shown they can survive freezing temperatures by finding appropriate refuge and limiting their exposure to the extremes."

Eradication is likely improbable, according to a USGS report.

Craig Hlavaty is a reporter for Chron.com and HoustonChronicle.com.