The Thunderous Coquí

Welcome to Frog of the Month: Coquí Edition!

June 2025

This time, we’re shining a spotlight on one of the most beloved frogs in the Western Hemisphere: the coquí. Tiny, musical, and a powerful symbol of cultural pride, these frogs are loud in all the best ways. Native to Puerto Rico, coquíes aren’t just frogs; they’re national icons, nighttime serenaders, and ecological wonders.

You’ll hear them before you see them. Their signature "co-Kee” call rings out across the island as soon as the sun sets, giving the coquí its name and a permanent place in Puerto Rican folklore and identity.

Habitat

Coquíes are found in Puerto Rico’s tropical forests, especially in the lush, mountainous El Yunque National Forest. While many species have spread to other areas like Hawaii, the coquí’s heart and heritage lie in the Caribbean, where they thrive in humid environments filled with dense vegetation and warm rainfall.

Features and Fun Facts

Songbook Singing: The coquí isn’t just one species; there are 17+ species in Puerto Rico alone, many with their own distinct calls. But the Eleutherodactylus coqui, the most famous, is known for the male’s two-note “co-kee” call. The “co” warns other males, and the “kee” courts females. It’s like a frog opera every night.

No Tadpoles: Coquíes skip the tadpole stage entirely. Like rain frogs, they lay eggs in moist vegetation, and when they hatch, they emerge as fully formed mini-frogs ready to hop, climb, and sing. This is known as direct development, and it's ideal for a forest-dwelling lifestyle.

Climbing Champs: Despite their small size (usually just 1–2 inches long), coquíes are amazing climbers thanks to their sticky toe pads. They spend most of their time in trees and shrubs.

Tiny but Thunderous: Coquí calls can reach over 100 decibels, as loud as a jackhammer. For such a small creature, they punch way above their weight in the noise department. Visitors to Puerto Rico quickly learn: silence doesn’t exist after dark!

Symbol of Resilience: To Puerto Ricans, the coquí represents resilience, identity, and pride. You'll find them on t-shirts, artwork, souvenirs, and even political posters. After Hurricane Maria, the return of the coquí's song became a symbol of hope and recovery.

Conservation Status

While many coquí species are abundant, some, like the coquí llanero, are critically endangered due to habitat destruction and climate change. Invasive populations in Hawaii, meanwhile, have raised ecological concerns due to their loud calls and the absence of natural predators.

Recently, tourists have been seen calling for a way to get rid of these beautiful frogs seeing them as too noisy. This has outraged Puerto Ricans and Frog fans alike. These beautiful frogs calls deserve to ring out loud. Together we can share how valuable these little guys are.

Like all amphibians, coquíes are sensitive indicators of environmental health, and protecting their forests means preserving a piece of Puerto Rico’s soul.