Puerto Rican rock coqui

Eleutherodactylus cooki

Status: Endangered. There are 17 species of coqui in Puerto Rico, but 3 are extinct, and many of the others are experiencing declining numbers due to climate change, deforestation, development, and expanding infrastructure. Scientists observe the various coqui species because they are an important biological indicator of the overall health of the forests, and they are also important as a predator that keeps insect populations in check.

In Puerto Rico these little frogs are called demons, because of their ghostly appearance and the haunting quality of their calls that echo in the forest grottos. Their song is eerie, and is made even more so when it reverberates from the surface of still pools and in rocky caverns. They begin to sing at dusk and continue until dawn. They were thought to be associated with fertility because of the way their vocalizations would swell in particular before rain. Also, they are known to jump from the trees in high humidity and this leads to the impression that they are raining from the skies of the cloud forests.

Depictions of coqui are found in artifacts, artwork, songs, and stories of the TaÌno people. Cave petroglyphs have been found on Mona Island featuring coqui. In one legend, the zemi (deity embodying nature or ancestral spirit) Caguana who was the spirit of love, favored a chief's son named CoquÌ. She ensured he always had a bountiful catch of fish, and in gratitude he would sing to her. She grew very attached to him and took great joy in his praises.

One night, the Caguana took the form of a maiden and came to him. They fell in love. She promised to return the next evening, but was thwarted by the jealousy of Juracán, who came as fierce hurricane winds. Juracán lashed the skies with chaos and storm and snatched CoquÌ away.

Mourning for her lover, the Caguana created a little frog. To this day, that frog calls out for CoquÌ, filling the forest and freshwater pools with the song of his name.

In petroglyphs and idols of fecundity zemi, her fertility is emphasized with frog-like qualities, featuring the ritual crouched legs and three-fingered hands of coqui frogs.

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