Natural History:
Cuban Flathead Frogs are a species of Greenhouse Frog and like other Greenhouse Frogs are miniscule compared to other frogs. Because of their small size, the Cuban Flathead Frog is able to occupy small crevices such as under rocks and logs where they are safe from predators.
Despite their small size they are incredible fast and when disturbed they will shoot out from under the log and dive into any nearby bodies of water. Although they do not have webbing between their toes they are still able to swim to avoid predators.
Unlike some other species of Greenhouse Frog, the Cuban Flathead Frog frequents damp habitats close to fresh water, particularly mangrove swamps. Mangrove swamps offer large amounts of crevices and restrict the locomotion of larger predators. They are however susceptible to smaller predators in the area such as large centipedes and crabs. In the areas of Cuba which these frogs inhabit there are large amounts of crabs such as forest crabs which will predate upon Greenhouse Frogs when the crabs are small. To avoid predation the Cuban Flathead Frog has developed camouflage where their body is a series of different shades of brown to break up its outline while small bumps mimic the damp granular soil.
These frogs have been introduced to the Florida Everglades, from there their population has grown exponentially to the point there they can now be found throughout the state of Florida.
Anecdotal:
I was searching for Cuban sliders which I have been told were in the area along a mangrove filled river and as I waked through I found lots of pieces of wood along the path which I of course checked under but with little success. As I progressed the mangroves became more prominent and the soil much damper; waterlogged. I lifted more pieces of wood and saw nothing but heard a small splash from the river. I lifted another and watched as a tiny frog jumped out with great speed right past me and vanished into the river. These greenhouse frogs are much more energetic then the comparatively more lethargic species in Bermuda. The Cuban variety also inhabit a much more humid environment then the dry pieces of wood in Bermuda. I eventually found one that didn't seem to notice it was uncovered and another that buried itself into the soil, I managed to photograph both luckily.
Cuban Flathead Frogs are a species of Greenhouse Frog and like other Greenhouse Frogs are miniscule compared to other frogs. Because of their small size, the Cuban Flathead Frog is able to occupy small crevices such as under rocks and logs where they are safe from predators.
Despite their small size they are incredible fast and when disturbed they will shoot out from under the log and dive into any nearby bodies of water. Although they do not have webbing between their toes they are still able to swim to avoid predators.
Unlike some other species of Greenhouse Frog, the Cuban Flathead Frog frequents damp habitats close to fresh water, particularly mangrove swamps. Mangrove swamps offer large amounts of crevices and restrict the locomotion of larger predators. They are however susceptible to smaller predators in the area such as large centipedes and crabs. In the areas of Cuba which these frogs inhabit there are large amounts of crabs such as forest crabs which will predate upon Greenhouse Frogs when the crabs are small. To avoid predation the Cuban Flathead Frog has developed camouflage where their body is a series of different shades of brown to break up its outline while small bumps mimic the damp granular soil.
These frogs have been introduced to the Florida Everglades, from there their population has grown exponentially to the point there they can now be found throughout the state of Florida.
Anecdotal:
I was searching for Cuban sliders which I have been told were in the area along a mangrove filled river and as I waked through I found lots of pieces of wood along the path which I of course checked under but with little success. As I progressed the mangroves became more prominent and the soil much damper; waterlogged. I lifted more pieces of wood and saw nothing but heard a small splash from the river. I lifted another and watched as a tiny frog jumped out with great speed right past me and vanished into the river. These greenhouse frogs are much more energetic then the comparatively more lethargic species in Bermuda. The Cuban variety also inhabit a much more humid environment then the dry pieces of wood in Bermuda. I eventually found one that didn't seem to notice it was uncovered and another that buried itself into the soil, I managed to photograph both luckily.