The coqui is a frog located in the Puerto Rico forests. It is known for the loud high pitched sound the male makes when the sun goes down. The frog is named after the “coqui” sound they make. These frogs are extremely small and are 15mm to 20mm.  The colors of the coqui are usually tan, brown, green and yellow. The males are usually brown and the females are usually yellow, and sometimes they have two different colors.

 

The coqui lives in the forests of Puerto Rico. They live in the trees, leaves and stay away from water. They have disk and pads on the tips of their toes to help them grip the leaves and the trees they live in. The funny thing about the coqui is that it can’t swim. It has been said that the coqui can only live in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Although the coqui has been able to survive in other places such as Hawaii. In Hawaii, some people want the coqui exterminated.

 

The coqui family is one of the biggest amphibian families on the earth. There are over six hundred species. The coqui breed year round. The coqui mostly breed during the wet season. Unlike other amphibians the coqui don’t lay their eggs in the water. The tadpole stage happens in an egg. Coquis lay about 140 eggs per year. It takes the egg 17-26 days to develop. The male stays with the eggs so they don’t dry out and a few days after the eggs hatch.

 

As you can see the coqui is an amazing animal on earth. The coqui is by far one of the most fascinating animals to me. I hope one day I can see and hear a coqui on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico.

 

Author: Alvino M

Published: 06/2010

 

Sources:

wikipedia.org & topuertorico.org

 

Photo Credit:

United States Department of Agriculture