The March Of The Frogs
The overlords of the Animal Uprising™, not content with unleashing just two or three plagues of animals on Florida, have sent in the big guns. No, this is in addition to the mice, the pythons and the giant rats. This time it's personal. They are sending in the top guns, the cream of the crop, the true menaces. The mother of all gross outs.
People scream after finding huge frogs in their toilet bowls. Electrified amphibians cause multiple blackouts. Frogs hitch rides in cars, later surprising unsuspecting drivers.
It's all real, and, according to the University of Florida, the invasive Cuban tree frog is responsible for the chaos. The species has colonized over half of Florida and is now moving in on the rest of the state. The 6-inch-long frogs, which dwarf native tiny tree frogs, have also been found in Georgia, South Carolina, California, Hawaii and Canada.
UF amphibian expert Steve Johnson told Discovery News that the frog "toilet surprise" has startled himself, numerous students and several friends.
"They come in through bathroom PVC vent pipes on the roof," Johnson explained. "Once they find moisture, they may just keep moving down until they make their way to the toilet, one of their favorite indoor destinations."
He added that the creamy white to light brown frogs can also clog up sinks. The bathroom attraction has to do with the frogs' preference for "confined, cozy" spaces, such as pipes.
The frogs first became established in Florida in the early 20th century, after the amphibians stowed away on boats. On land, almost any form of transportation can carry them from one region to another.
Johnson said Florida, California and Hawaii remain particularly vulnerable to such invasions.
And, what's even worse? The frogs are toxic - no really. They release a toxin through their skin. So if you're sitting on your toilet and you get the feeling that you are being watched it may not be your imagination. (We personally guarantee that everyone who reads this will be checking their toilets - twice - before descending onto the throne.)
By Mwalimu Daudi, Thursday, 5 July , 2007 @ 8:35 pm
Obviously the result of global warming….
By chuck, Thursday, 5 July , 2007 @ 10:33 pm
Another reason to keep the seat — and lid — down.
By Lars Walker, Friday, 6 July , 2007 @ 6:22 am
My advice–watch out for plagues of flies, hail, darkness and the deaths of the first-born.