One of the largest tree frogs now living in North America, the Cuban Tree Frog is an interesting frog that can even change color, acquire spots, or lose its spots in different surroundings.

Because Cuban Tree Frogs are nocturnal, they will probably remain hidden for most of the day. Most Cuban Tree Frogs kept in captivity have been wild caught, and so may be difficult to tame. Some will remain shy for the duration of their five year life span. Cuban Tree Frogs have a call that sounds much like the barking of a small dog or a raspy human snore. Usually, they call at night and may be quite noisy. Because they have a tendency to become obese, Cuban Tree Frogs should be kept on a well regulated diet. In very fat frogs, the supratympanic ridges, or the area above the eardrum, may lapse down over the frog's eyes, rendering it sightless. If your frog has very large supratympanic ridges, you should consider feeding it less. Females may eat more than males, and often these frogs will eat more during warmer months. You should be careful not to keep other frogs with Cuban Tree Frogs, as they have been known to eat cage mates. Also, because they secrete a toxin from their skins that some people or other pets may have unpleasant reactions to, you should wash your hands after handling your Cuban Tree Frog.

At maturity, most Cuban Tree Frogs measure between 1 and 3.5 inches (5 to 6 centimeters). Females are larger than males and may grow to five inches (12 to 13 centimeters). Usually, Cuban Tree Frogs range in color from gray to tan to brownish-green. Many have marbled patterns or darker blotching, and they can change color when stressed. Cuban Tree Frogs have textured, or warty skin. Their eyes are large and they have sticky cups on their toes that help them climb. Males may have darker throats, and both sexes may have faint striping over their legs.

Although Cuban Tree Frogs are native to Cuba and surrounding islands, they have been introduced to Florida and have become established there. Cuban Tree Frogs are not uncommon as pets, and most animals sold are wild caught.

Cuban Tree Frogs should be kept at about 82 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit in the daytime. At night, the temperature should drop to between 72 and 75 degrees. A humidity level of about 60 percent is appropriate. The terrarium should have plenty of large, well-established plants or other items on which the frog can climb and should be vertically oriented. Adult Cuban Tree Frogs should be fed once every two to three days on insects or pinkie mice. Young tree frogs should be fed more frequently. Peat moss is suggested as a substrate, and plenty of hiding places should be present. They should have a shallow water area or dish large enough to soak in. Cuban Tree Frogs should not be kept with frogs smaller or about the same size as they are.

Female Cuban Tree Frogs are larger than males, and both sexes are often sexually mature when they are one year of age. After a cooling period occurring between May and October, Cuban Tree Frogs usually mate. Males will begin to show large green splotches and may acquire a bronze sheen to their skins, indicating that they are ready to breed. Usually, eggs are laid in bodies of water like ponds, artificial reservoirs, or drainage ditches. About 2,000 eggs are deposited, and they require one to two days to hatch. In captivity, the tadpoles may be fed tropical fish flakes and will not undergo metamorphosis until they are between six and eight weeks of age.