Puerto Rico's 17 Coquí Species

Meet the 17 native species of Puerto Rico's iconic tree frogs, including where they live, their scientific names, and conservation status.

Puerto Rico is home to one of the greatest diversities of Eleutherodactylus frogs in the world. Seventeen native species inhabit the island, each adapted to a unique environment—from the cloud forests of El Yunque to dry coastal forests and limestone caves. While the common coquí can be heard across much of Puerto Rico, several species are found nowhere else on Earth and occupy only small geographic ranges.

Eleutherodactylus Species - Scientific Names

Common Name	Scientific Name	Endemic	Primary Habitat	Conservation Status
Common Coquí	Eleutherodactylus coqui	Yes	Forests, gardens, urban areas	Least Concern
Mountain Coquí	Eleutherodactylus portoricensis	Yes	Mountain rainforests	Near Threatened
Whistling Coquí	Eleutherodactylus brittoni	Yes	Moist forests	Least Concern
Coquí Llanero	Eleutherodactylus juanariveroi	Yes	Freshwater marshes	Critically Endangered
Golden Coquí	Eleutherodactylus jasperi	Yes	Montane forests	Extinct
Web-footed Coquí	Eleutherodactylus karlschmidti	Yes	Mountain streams	Extinct
Demon Coquí	Eleutherodactylus demonicus	Yes	Cloud forests	Data Deficient
Rock Coquí	Eleutherodactylus cooki	Yes	Rocky ravines	Endangered
Melodious Coquí	Eleutherodactylus wightmanae	Yes	Moist forests	Least Concern
Grassy Coquí	Eleutherodactylus gryllus	Yes	Grasslands & forests	Near Threatened
Forest Coquí	Eleutherodactylus hedricki	Yes	Montane forests	Endangered
Cave Coquí	Eleutherodactylus cooki	Yes	Caves & rocky habitats	Endangered
Red-eyed Coquí	Eleutherodactylus antillensis	Native	Dry and moist forests	Least Concern
Puerto Rican Grass Coquí	Eleutherodactylus richmondi	Yes	Moist mountain forests	Near Threatened
Wrinkled Coquí	Eleutherodactylus rugulosus	Yes	Forests	Least Concern
Dwarf Coquí	Eleutherodactylus unicolor	Yes	Cloud forests	Near Threatened
Hidden Coquí	Eleutherodactylus locustus	Yes	Leaf litter	Least Concern

What Does Eleutherodactylus Mean?

The name comes from the Greek words eleutheros ("free") and daktylos ("finger" or "toe"), referring to the frogs' unwebbed toes. Unlike many frogs, coquís spend little time in water and are adapted for life on land and in trees.

Hear the sound of Puerto Rico

If you've ever spent an evening in Puerto Rico, you've likely heard the unmistakable "co-quí, co-quí" echoing through the warm tropical night. Produced by the male coquí to attract mates and establish territory, this distinctive two-note call is more than just a frog's song—it is the soundtrack of the island. For generations, the chorus of coquís has welcomed visitors, lulled residents to sleep, and become a cherished reminder of home for millions of Puerto Ricans around the world. Listen closely and experience one of Puerto Rico's most iconic natural sounds.

Frequently Asked Questions?

How many coquí species live in Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico is home to 17 native coquí species, 13 of which are endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else in the world. Together, they represent one of the greatest diversities of Eleutherodactylus frogs on Earth.

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What does "endemic" mean?

An endemic species is a plant or animal that is found naturally in only one geographic location and nowhere else in the world. If an endemic species disappears from its native habitat, it becomes extinct globally.

Puerto Rico is home to 13 endemic coquí species, making the island one of the world's most important centers of coquí diversity. These unique frogs evolved over millions of years and are found naturally only in Puerto Rico and its surrounding islands.

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Which is the most common coquí?

The Common Coquí (Eleutherodactylus coqui) is the island's most widespread and recognizable species. Its distinctive "co-quí" call is heard nightly throughout much of Puerto Rico, from forests to residential neighborhoods.

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Which is the rarest coquí?

The Coquí Llanero (Eleutherodactylus juanariveroi) is considered Puerto Rico's rarest living coquí. It is found only in a small freshwater wetland in the municipality of Humacao and is listed as Critically Endangered.

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Which coquí species are extinct?

Two Puerto Rican coquí species are believed to be extinct: the Golden Coquí (Eleutherodactylus jasperi), last seen in the 1980s, and the Web-footed Coquí (Eleutherodactylus karlschmidti), which has not been observed in decades.

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Which coquí species is found only in El Yunque?

Several coquí species inhabit El Yunque National Forest, including the Mountain Coquí (Eleutherodactylus portoricensis), the Melodious Coquí (Eleutherodactylus wightmanae), and the Common Coquí (Eleutherodactylus coqui). While some species have very limited distributions, none are found exclusively within El Yunque.

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Why do different coquí species have different calls?

Each coquí species has its own unique call that helps individuals recognize members of the same species. These distinct vocalizations are used to attract mates, defend territories, and reduce confusion where several coquí species live in the same habitat.