Fauna
Amphibian

Greenhouse Frog

Eleutherodactylus planirostris

Also known as Flat-headed Frog, Cuban Greenhouse Frog

Greenhouse frogs are tiny nocturnal amphibians renowned for bypassing the free-swimming tadpole stage entirely, hatching from eggs hidden in damp soil as fully formed miniature froglets. Native to the Caribbean, these stealthy hitchhikers have spread globally through the nursery plant trade, establishing dense populations in suburban gardens and humid leaf litter. Males produce faint, insect-like chirps after twilight, making them far easier to hear than to spot among moist ground cover.

NocturnalIntroducedTerrestrial
Greenhouse Frog reference1 / 7
Pierre Fidenci / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAnts, Beetles, Mites
Predators
  • Snakes
  • Larger frogs
  • Spiders
ThreatsMinimal overall, though sensitive to severe drought and heavy pesticide use
HabitatsGardens, greenhouses, leaf litter, moist forests, flower beds
Life span2–4 years
Classification
  1. OrderAnura
  2. FamilyEleutherodactylidae
  3. GenusEleutherodactylus
  4. SpeciesEleutherodactylus planirostris
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Spotting at night: Scan damp soil and potted plant bases with a flashlight after dusk.
  • Listening cues: Listen near ground level for faint, high-pitched chirps reminiscent of crickets.
Related species
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