List of amphibians of Puerto Rico facts for kids

The amphibians of Puerto Rico are a fascinating group of animals! Puerto Rico is an archipelago, which means it's a group of islands. This includes the main island of Puerto Rico, plus smaller islands like Vieques, Culebra, and Mona.

This article will tell you about the different kinds of amphibians that live and breed in Puerto Rico. Many new amphibian species are brought to Puerto Rico every year, sometimes as pets. But only the ones that have settled down and are successfully having babies in the wild are included here.

Here are some special words you'll see to describe these animals:

• Endemic: This means the animal lives naturally only in Puerto Rico and nowhere else in the world. It's super special!
• Introduced: This means the animal was brought to Puerto Rico by people, either on purpose or by accident.
• Extinct: This means the animal used to live in Puerto Rico but now there are none left anywhere in the world. They're gone forever.
• Extirpated: This means the animal used to live in Puerto Rico but now there are none left there. However, they still live in other parts of the world.

Amphibians of Puerto Rico

Frogs and Toads (Family Bufonidae)

This family includes toads, which are usually known for their bumpy skin and shorter legs.

• Bufo marinus (Marine toad): This is a large toad that you can find all over Puerto Rico, Culebra, and Vieques. It's an introduced species.
• Bufo lemur (Puerto Rican crested toad): This special toad is an endemic species, meaning it's only found in Puerto Rico. It's quite rare!

Tree Frogs (Family Hylidae)

These frogs are often called tree frogs because they love to climb and live in trees.

• Hyla cinerea (American green tree frog): This bright green frog lives on the main island of Puerto Rico. It's an introduced species.
• Osteopilus septentrionalis (Cuban tree frog): This frog is also found on the main island. It's an introduced species and can be quite common.
• Scinax ruber (Red snouted treefrog): You can find this tree frog on the main island of Puerto Rico. It's an introduced species.

Coquís and Other Frogs (Family Leptodactylidae)

This is the largest group of amphibians in Puerto Rico, and it includes the famous coquí frogs! Many of these are endemic.

• Eleutherodactylus antillensis (Antillean coquí): Found on Puerto Rico, Culebra, and Vieques.
• Eleutherodactylus brittoni (Grass coquí): This small coquí lives on the main island. It's an endemic species.
• Eleutherodactylus cochranae (Whistling coquí): You can hear this coquí on the main island. It's an endemic species.
• Eleutherodactylus cooki (Cook's robber frog): This frog is an endemic species found on the main island.
• Eleutherodactylus coqui (Common coquí): This is the most famous coquí, known for its loud "co-qui" call! It's an endemic species found on Puerto Rico, Culebra, and Vieques.
• Eleutherodactylus eneidae (Mottled coquí): An endemic species found on the main island.
• Eleutherodactylus gryllus (Cricket coquí): This coquí, an endemic species, lives on the main island.
• Eleutherodactylus hedricki (Tree-hole coquí): An endemic species found on the main island.
• Eleutherodactylus jasperi (Golden coquí): This rare and beautiful coquí is an endemic species found on the main island. It is considered extinct or possibly extirpated from Puerto Rico.
• Eleutherodactylus juanariveroi (Plains coquí): An endemic species found on the main island.
• Eleutherodactylus karlschmidti (Web-footed coquí): This endemic species lives on the main island. It is considered extinct or possibly extirpated from Puerto Rico.
• Eleutherodactylus locustus (Warty coquí): An endemic species found on the main island.
• Eleutherodactylus monensis (Mona coquí): This unique coquí is an endemic species found only on Mona Island.
• Eleutherodactylus portoricensis (Forest coquí): An endemic species found on the main island.
• Eleutherodactylus richmondi (Ground coquí): This endemic species lives on the main island.
• Eleutherodactylus unicolor (Burrowing coquí): An endemic species found on the main island.
• Eleutherodactylus wightmanae (Melodious coquí): This endemic species lives on the main island.
• Leptodactylus albilabris (Caribbean white-lipped frog): You can find this frog on Puerto Rico, Culebra, and Vieques.

True Frogs (Family Ranidae)

This family includes some of the larger frogs, often found near water.

• Rana catesbeiana (Bullfrog): This very large frog is an introduced species found on Puerto Rico and Vieques.
• Rana grylio (Pig frog): This frog is also an introduced species found on the main island of Puerto Rico.

See also

• Fauna of Puerto Rico
• List of endemic fauna of Puerto Rico
• List of endemic flora of Puerto Rico
• List of mammals of Puerto Rico
• List of birds of Puerto Rico
• List of reptiles of Puerto Rico