Greenhouse Frog
Eleutherodactylus planirostris


The Greenhouse Frog (Eleutherodactylus planirostris) is a tiny chirping frog that occurs naturally in Cuba, the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands.   However, it is better known for having been introduced into Florida and Hawaii.   From Florida it has spread north and west and is now known from the gulf coast states and has finally appeared in southeast Texas.  For those of us in Texas, it seems like only a matter of time until this species spreads across the wetter areas of the state where it will have to coexist with the very similar Rio Grande Chirping Frog.


These frogs are called Greenhouse Frogs for their habit of being found around gardens and potted plants.  However, in areas where they are introduced they can be found in almost any vegetated habitat from grassy areas to woodlands or urban yards.


Their ability to survive in such a diverse selection of habitats is attributable to both their small size and their mode of reproduction.   The adults are small enough to sit on a dime which means they can be easily transported in building materials, gardening supplies, plants, etc..  Beyond their size, they have the unusual ability to reproduce without access to standing water.  They have direct development which means the tadpole metamorphoses into a frog inside the egg so there is no need for an aquatic larval stage.  The eggs must be laid somewhere moist to prevent desiccation but do not require standing water.

Like other small "chirping frogs" in the genus Eleutherodactylus, the call of this species is a series of high pitched "chirps" or short trills.   The Greenhouse Frog is more "talkative" than other chirping frogs generally and chirps more frequently.


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© Chris Harrison 2018

1 comment:

  1. Green Toad…..I think this is the one. More high pitched and the call lasts a little longer. Trying to nail this down is driving me crazy! I’m a birder, but love to identify everything!

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