Coquí, << koh KEE, >> is a small frog that is native to Puerto Rico. It reaches about 11/4 to 2 inches (30 to 50 millimeters) long. Females are larger than males. The coquí is gray-brown or brown, with a white or cream-colored belly. Some coquís have a cream stripe down the back. Many have an M-shaped mark between the eyes.
Coquís are active at night, spending most of their time in trees. The coquí gets its name from the male’s loud two-note call, which sounds like “koh-kee.” Males use this call during courtship. Scientists believe the low-pitched “koh” part of the call communicates with male rivals. The high-pitched “kee” attracts females. Coquís feed mainly on insects and other small invertebrates (animals without backbones). During the day, coquís sleep in leaf litter on the ground. Coquís are eaten by such animals as snakes and large spiders.
Females lay from 16 to 40 eggs in secluded spots, such as rolled leaves or the leaf clusters of plants. Males protect the eggs with their bodies to keep them moist. Unlike most other frogs, coquís do not have a tadpole stage. Instead, they hatch directly as froglets, with only a tiny tail stub. They lose these tail stubs within two days.
Coquís have been widely introduced to other areas. They generally have spread in shipments of plants. In Hawaii, coquís have become an invasive species. Such a species spreads rapidly and threatens native wildlife. Coquís in Hawaii feed on native invertebrates and compete with native birds for food. In addition, many Hawaiians consider the coquí a pest because of its loud, shrill call. By contrast, the frog is beloved in Puerto Rico. The coquí is considered a symbol of the island and its people.
