Greenhouse Frog (Eleutherodactylus planirostris) lives in tropical rainforest across Southeastern United States, Caribbean. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
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The greenhouse frog measures only 17 to 31 mm from snout to vent. Its drab or olive-brown back and pale underside help it blend into the moist leaf litter where it lives; because it is nocturnal it is seldom seen despite being common near human habitations, and it may only appear on warm, rainy summer days.
Unlike many frogs, the greenhouse frog lays its eggs in a thick membrane rather than in water, and the entire tadpole stage occurs inside that capsule. The embryos develop until they are ready to emerge as fully formed juveniles about 5 mm long, still bearing a short tail that is quickly reabsorbed. An "egg tooth" on the tadpole's snout assists it in breaking out of the membrane before the tooth is shed.
Clutch size in Florida ranges from three to 26 eggs, each deposited singly rather than in a mass. The frog chooses concealed, damp sites such as beneath logs, buried debris, or under flower pots, and adults have been observed lingering near the clutches, suggesting they may guard the eggs until hatching.
Although its original range is limited to Cuba, the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands, the greenhouse frog has been introduced to distant locales such as Hawaii and Florida where it has become common. It prefers moist leaf litter often close to human dwellings, yet its nocturnal habits keep it out of sight. The frog may appear on warm, rainy summer days and has even been recorded hibernating in March beneath the flaking bark of a wild tamarind tree in Florida.
Sources
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In the damp, emerald world of tropical forests, the Greenhouse Frog navigates with stealthy precision, its mottled skin blending seamlessly into the surrounding foliage as it pursues its nocturnal hunt. With a gentle, almost ethereal hop, it moves through the underbrush, its large, round eyes drinking in the faint light that filters down from above, ever vigilant for the slightest rustle of potential prey. As it disappears into the shadows, its soft, melodious song drifts back, a haunting serenade that echoes through the misty night air.
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