Eleutherodactylus portoricensis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eleutherodactylus portoricensis |
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The Eleutherodactylus portoricensis is a type of frog found only in Puerto Rico. It is also known as the upland coqui, mountain coqui, or Puerto Rican robber frog. In Spanish, people call it coquí de la montaña. This special frog lives in the Toro Negro State Forest and other similar mountain areas.
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About the Mountain Coqui
The mountain coqui is a small frog. It belongs to a group of frogs called Eleutherodactylidae. This group is known for not needing water to lay their eggs. Instead, their eggs hatch directly into tiny froglets.
How it was Discovered
The story of the mountain coqui is a bit like that of the common coqui. In 1927, a scientist named Schmidt first described this frog. He said it was a new species that lived only in Puerto Rico. For many years, people thought the famous "CO-QUI" sound came from just one type of frog. They thought this frog lived all over the island, both high up and low down.
But in the 1960s, another scientist named Richard Thomas found something new. He realized that two different frog species were making the "coqui" sound. In 1966, he showed that the frog Schmidt first described was the one that lived only in the mountains. This is the frog we now call the mountain coqui. It was the ninth type of coqui frog to be officially named in Puerto Rico.
Other Names for This Frog
The scientific name for this frog is Eleutherodactylus portoricensis. It does not have any other scientific names. Its most common name in Spanish is coquí de la montaña. You might also hear it called "coquí montaño de Puerto Rico" in Spanish. In English, it is often called the "Puerto Rico mountain coqui."
Where the Mountain Coqui Lives
The mountain coqui lives in special places. Its natural habitats are wet lowland forests. It also lives in wet montane forests, which are forests found in mountains. These places are usually warm and humid.
Unique Features
This frog is one of only two species that actually make the famous "coqui" sound. The other one is the common coqui. The mountain coqui has some special markings that help you identify it. It has a white half-moon shape right above its eyes. Also, its belly has dark-brown spots. These features make it easy to tell apart from other frogs.
See also
In Spanish: Coquí de la montaña para niños
