A tree frog from Costa Rica has been found in a box of bananas at a Lidl supermarket in Nottingham, England, more than 8,500 km (5,300 miles) away from its Costa Rican rainforest home.
Staff at the Netherfield branch, who named it Lloyd, told the RSPCA it was sitting on top of the bananas as they unloaded the fruit on to the shelves.
Lloyd is now in the care of a vet who specializes in exotic animals.
This little chap has had a BIG adventure & has come all the way from Costa Rica in a box of bananas to Lidl in Netherfield! This tree frog is currently being cared for by a vet with an interest in exotics! Here’s ‘hopping’ he continues to thrive after his long journey! ???????????? pic.twitter.com/T5OhpJWNRY
— RSPCA Nottingham (@RSPCANottingham) May 14, 2019
BBC news reported that RSPCA officer Hayley Day said the supermarket staff seemed quite taken with it. “He must have also had quite the shock when he emerged in a Nottinghamshire supermarket considering he’s used to more tropical climates usually,” she said.
Reacting to the find on Facebook, Rob Loasby wrote: “They have some amazing things in their specials aisle these days.”
Sarah Conway said: “It’s not a Lidl frog, it’s a big frog.”
While Lee Anne added: “I’m never putting my hand in a box of bananas again… first spiders now this.”
Tree frogs
- There are about 800 different species of tree frog, with more than 600 living in Central and South America
- Tree frogs can be found in a variety of colours and others change colour to blend into the background as camouflage
- Some tree frogs descend to the ground to mate and spawn but some lay their eggs in the trees or vegetation
- Source: Animals Network