On the island of Puerto Rico, there is a unique species of tree frogs known as the Coqui. The total family of these tree frogs consists of 16 different native species, 13 of which inhabit the Caribbean National Forest, El Yunque.

Eleven of the 13 are endemic species, that is, they occur only in Puerto Rico. The Coqui belongs to the Family of Leptodactylidae and it is an Amphibian.

The Coquies range in size from 15 mm to 80 mm in length.
The coquí - little frog, as it is called in Puerto Rico, has only a minute tail when it is born, and this quickly disappears.

Its length ranges between 15mm-80mm and the color of the coquí varies considerably - green, brown and yellowish, sometimes having touches of different colors or two dorsolateral stripes.

It is a very popular creature throughout the island and enlivens the evenings with its timid ko-kee from which it get its name.

The coquies begin to sing when the sun goes down at dusk, singing all night long until dawn. The male coquí sings - not the female.

The people on the island love to listen to the Coqui sing at bedtime, and its melody is dearly missed by the Puerto Ricans that are away from home.

You can find the coquí nearly everywhere, from the margins of the forests where the areas receive large amounts of moisture, in highlands, lowlands, dry and arid places, even in caves depending on the species.

There are all types images of the tiny creature painted on almost every sort of souvenir offered by the tourist traders. It is also featured in many commercial products manufactured by the island industries. It’s no wonder that Puerto Ricans consider the Coqui to be the symbol of Puerto Rico.

The Coqui is considered to be an important part of the islands natural and cultural heritage.

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