Grey Tree Frogs: Are They Poisonous to Humans?

Grey tree frogs are tree frogs that have rough and warty skin. Though it's called a grey tree frog, its color is not grey. Their color can change from pale green to grey with spots of dark grey, but it depends on where they are.

Now, are grey tree frogs poisonous to humans? As studies suggest, these frogs are not too poisonous. Their skin releases a toxin that can hurt eyes, lips, nasal mucus, and open cuts in people. Now, even though this frog's secretion isn’t quite harmful, you should still wash your hands well after handling them.

In this insightful piece, we will talk about how poisonous grey tree frogs are, how they affect humans and pets, and how to handle them safely.

What Are Grey Tree Frogs?

There are two species of grey tree frogs. They are called- the eastern gray tree frog (Hyla versicolor) and the cope’s grey tree frog (Hyla chrysoscelis). They seem quite similar to each other.

These two frogs are from the same species, and they look kinda alike. Both species have rough, bumpy skin and big, noticeable toe pads on their toes and fingers to help them grip tree wood and other surfaces.

They can be found in various colors. (Green, light greenish gray, gray, brown, or dark brown with black spots on the back). But their color can change depending on where they are and what they are doing. For example, when it's time to mate, they often turn greenish.

What Kind of Toxicity Does a Grey Frog Have?

Each frog's skin has its own set of glands. These glands make steroidal elements to protect themselves from possible danger.

Remember that these grey tree frogs are not too dangerous. They don't usually make too much poison from their skin glands.

If you come into touch with a grey tree frog, you do not need to see a doctor. The poison from gray tree frogs doesn't kill in the end.

Also, not all kinds of grey tree frogs make poison. Only one kind of grey tree frog, called Cope's Grey tree frog, is a bit poisonous.

Are Grey Tree Frogs Poisonous to Humans?

Even though they are a little hazardous, grey tree frogs don't usually pose a threat to people. The poison they secret isn't dangerous enough for people to worry about. But yes, if anyone ingests it, they might feel a bit uncomfortable.

Remember that your skin won't absorb the toxin. However, if you have any open cuts or breakouts on the skin, you will feel a bit uncomfortable. To avoid this, don't wash your hands before handling a grey tree frog.

If you need to touch it for any reason, don't rub your eyes or put your fingers in your nose or mouth. The poison could get into your bloodstream through your nasal membranes. It would then irritate and hurt you a lot.

Toxins may make your eyes feel very hot and itchy, like if chili got into your eyes. There is also a chance of inflammation of the eye's mucous tissues.

If you touch a grey tree frog and you have any cuts or scratches on your hands, their toxins would probably make the area you touch go numb and give you an awful burning feeling.

Are Grey Tree Frogs Dangerous to Pets?

Dogs

For dogs, grey tree frogs have the same effect as they do on people. Your dog may lick the poisonous substance that grey tree frogs make. Remember that they won't die from the toxin, but they will be a little bit of pain.

So, basically, your dog will react to gray tree frog toxins if it comes across one. You may notice that your dog's mouth is foaming because his gums are sore. Since the poison makes dogs salivate a lot, the dog might drool. However, your dog will not be permanently hurt inside.

Cats

The venom of grey tree frogs is obviously poisonous to cats. However, they are not killed by the intensity of the poison.

If any cat comes into contact with a grey tree frog, it might feel threatened. In that case, the frog may release toxins.

No cats will die from touching or pawing a grey tree frog. But it might be painful for cats if they swallow or absorb toxic fluids.

Remember that the poisons could make your cat throw up. But in a few days, your cat will be completely fine.

So, if your cat encounters a grey tree frog, there's no need to panic and rush them to the clinic unless you see any visible reasons.

How Will You Protect Your Pets From Grey Tree Frogs?

A possible sign that your pet may have encountered grey tree frogs is drooling or foam in its mouth. In such a case-

• Clean your pet's mouth with water and wipe the inside down gently. The goal is to remove all traces of the toxins from their mouth.
• Any part of your pet's body that has been in touch with grey tree frogs has to be washed and cleaned. It will protect your dogs from harm because it removes all toxins from their bodies.
• Your pet needs to get rehydrated so that it feels better. Remember to provide your pet with enough water. By doing this, your pet can easily get rid of harmful substances in their body.
• Also, check if your pet is feeling better within two to four days. If the condition is not improving, get help from a vet right away.

Last Words

To sum up, if you are healthy, a sting from a grey tree frog might only cause a small amount of pain. But it might harm you if your immune system is weak.

You can relax knowing that the grey tree frog is unlikely to cause any harm as long as you don't bother it. Remember to always follow the safety rules when working with these species.

We hope you have learned a lot about the effects of grey tree frog poison from this informative post.