Tree Frog Rumors

mathayom · Post by **mathayom** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:39 pm

Hi, all!

Well, the tree frogs are back. I noticed them for the first time this season tonight. BRAAAAAAACK!

I've heard these rumors and have never found out the truth:

These tree frogs are from Africa and cruise in on the trade winds. Their breeding season is six months away, so they don't reproduce on island.

Can anyone clarify?

Thanks for any light you can shed on the subject.

Exit Zero · Post by **Exit Zero** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:24 am

The reason you heard them tonite was the rainy day - they revel on the damp nights and we haven't had many of late. The rest of your rumor questions must be a Late April Fools post.

lazylane · Post by **lazylane** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:27 am

Love the sound of the tree frogs!! Here in Ohio it's a sure sign of spring when we hear the "peepers" as the old timers call them!! On St. John the variety is somewhat different and has a little different sound. I have a wooden one on my desk, rub it's back for that soothing STJ sound!!

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:38 am

Mat, are they a seasonal offering? Crunchy Frog?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy6uLfermPU

Cheers, RickG

mathayom · Post by **mathayom** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:10 am

LOL! Too much, Rick. I've never seen that one.

Food for thought, though.

hugo · Post by **hugo** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:12 am

Hi Matt,
If the frogs are going BRRACCKK, rather than discreet little peeps, then they are the enormous Cuban Tree Frogs, which were set loose on St. Croix by accident in the 1970's. It took them about 20 years to get to St. John, but they have been reproducing very successfully ever since, in spite of the highly un-seductive mating call of the males, and the relative dryness of this island. Since most of St. John got a lot of very welcome spring rain last night, these big,disgusting, poison- mucus coated aliens were going to town. Our native frogs are not only musical, but very well adapted to life on a dry island---two of the three native species don't have tadpoles, but hatch out as tiny super-cute frogs!

mathayom · Post by **mathayom** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:29 am

Thanks, all!

Hugo:
Last year, we had tadpoles in our tiny 2 ft across pond. Someone from the Park service told me to kill them all, but I didn't have the heart.

Bug · Post by **Bug** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 2:26 pm

Hugo:

Do you work for the Park? I love to hear about the different island critters. You should tell us more!!!

XOXO
Bug

bevm · Post by **bevm** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 7:49 pm

Hey Rick,
Loved the "Crunchy Frog". I've always loved Monty Python. I guess you either loved it or hated it... I've seen "Spamalot" twice on Broadway and I could see it again and would still laugh at the jokes. Funny stuff! So thanks for making me laugh today!!

hugo · Post by **hugo** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:50 pm

Bug:
No, I don't work for the Park --or I don't get paid by them, anyway. I'm just the know-it-all type.....

Cid · Post by **Cid** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:50 pm

I like the know-it-all types as long as they aren't pushy, just informative.

Bug · Post by **Bug** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:16 pm

Hi Huge:

I enjoyed hearing about the Frogs. Anything else you want to share about the critter of STJ?

XOXO
Bug

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 8:56 am

bugblu98 wrote:Hi Huge:

I enjoyed hearing about the Frogs. Anything else you want to share about the critter of STJ?

XOXO
Bug

They're not crunchy if you take the bones out!

Cheers, RickG

Bug · Post by **Bug** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:14 pm

Hi Rick:

I'll remember that in just a few days when I'm on STJ and hungry ~ Take the bones out before you eat

XOXO
Bug

Dave-a-roni · Post by **Dave-a-roni** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 5:36 pm

Hey cool thread mathayom

I love frogs, glad to hear they're out and making noise again. Thge spring peepers are starting now here in Buffalo NY.
When we were on island for our 1st time in 2005, we had trouble getting to sleep at night because of the frogs... they were LOUD! and it was awesome! We were in Coral bay, up on a mountain villa (way above Cocolobo). I recorded them with my camera, came out in mono and sounded bad, but I had to remember that sound. This time I'm taking my nature recording gear and plan on doing several recordings.
Hugo, since your a resident, do you have any advice for a good spot to record them thats away from people and cars? I'll be on island in 3 months in the Chocolate hole area (we can PM if you like?)

Here's a cuban tree frog that was on our back deck, it was a monster, I think his belly was full, it's hang'in

<a href="http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w41/ ... frog-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w41/ ... frog-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
I'd like to know what native species are on St. John? Any help Hugo?

I was going to eventually call the park about the frogs if no one knows.

usvi-on-line

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Tree Frog Rumors

Tree Frog Rumors