Exotic tree frog found in bunch of bananas

An exotic tree frog has been rescued by a Kent reptile charity after hitching a ride in a bag of bananas shipped from the Caribbean.

The stowaway, which is native to the island of Hispaniola in the West Indies, was discovered trapped in the fruit's plastic wrapping by workers at a ripening facility in Luton, Bedfordshire, some 4,250 miles (6,839km) from its home.

Chris Newman, director of the Hadlow College-based National Centre for Reptile Welfare (NCRW), said it had likely endured several weeks in the refrigerated hold of a boat, which would have caused it to spend much of that time asleep.

"Last year, we had 365 cases like this, so it's not uncommon at all," he said.

Newman added: "These creatures regularly come over in fresh produce, particularly bananas.

"They cling on to a bunch and go through the whole washing process, battening down the hatches until they're bagged up and shipped off.

"And the bags are breathable and kept cool, so the frogs just go into a sleep state until they receive a rude awakening at the other end."

Newman added that the latest arrival, an adult male measuring about 8cm, has since been fostered by an NCRW contact and will spend the rest of its three to four year lifespan in a comfy terrarium surrounded by logs and vegetation.

However, Newman said that not every species that accidentally arrived on UK shores was quite as cute.

"In 2025, we had a Brazilian Wandering Spider spotted at a supermarket in Orpington, along with a Desert Cobra which secreted itself in the suitcase of someone returning Saudi Arabia," he said.

"Honestly, you'd be amazed how many scary examples like that we've had."

He said that NCRW will launch a campaign later this year urging the public to check their luggage before heading home from abroad.

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram and listen to BBC Radio Kent on Sounds. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.