# Greenhouse Frog (*Eleutherodactylus planirostris*) The Greenhouse Frog is a tiny, cute frog that loves to live in warm places like greenhouses. They are great at hiding and can jump really far when they want to escape! - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 11 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Greenhouse Frog](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Eleutherodactylus_planirostris01.jpg&width=800) Photo: Pierre Fidenci, CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eleutherodactylus_planirostris01.jpg) ## Appearance The Greenhouse Frog is a tiny, drab brown or tan frog, often mottled with darker spots or stripes, allowing it to blend seamlessly into leaf litter. It has a somewhat pointed snout and prominent eyes, lacking the distinct eardrum visible in many other frog species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Eleutherodactylidae - **Genus:** Eleutherodactylus ## Interesting facts - Male Greenhouse Frogs make a high-pitched 'cree-cree' call from hidden spots. - These frogs lay their small clutches of eggs on land, often under logs or leaves. - They are native to the Caribbean, not greenhouses, but spread by humans. - Tiny froglets hatch directly from eggs, completely skipping the tadpole stage! ## Special abilities - **Direct Development:** Greenhouse Frogs can skip the tadpole stage, with eggs hatching directly into tiny froglets. This helps them reproduce even far from standing water. - **Stealthy Camouflage:** The Greenhouse Frog has varied brown and tan patterns that allow it to blend seamlessly into leaf litter and soil. This helps them avoid predators. - **Surviving Disturbance:** Greenhouse Frogs can thrive in human-altered environments like gardens and greenhouses. This helps them spread to new locations easily. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 1.7-3.1 cm - **Weight:** 0.001-0.003 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-5 years - **Clutch Size:** 3-26 ## Diet & Feeding This tiny frog munches on small bugs and other creepy crawlies found in its habitat. - **Primary Foods:** Ants, Mites, Small beetles, Spiders, Springtails, Tiny crickets - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — Snakes are common predators of small frogs. - **Eaten by:** Green Anole (*Anolis carolinensis*) — Larger lizards may prey on froglets and small frogs. - **Hunts:** [Black Garden Ant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-garden-ant) (*Formica fusca*) — Ants are a primary food source for this tiny frog. - **Hunts:** [Fruit Fly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fruit-fly) (*Drosophila melanogaster*) — Tiny flying insects are often caught by the frog. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch where you step, as frogs can be very small and hard to see. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Greenhouse Frog? Check the toe pads, leg length, eye markings, back pattern and body shape. Don't lean on color: some frogs change shade to match their surroundings. Frog Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Greenhouse Frog? 1.7-3.1 cm ### How much does Greenhouse Frog weigh? 0.001-0.003 kg ### How long does Greenhouse Frog live? 3-5 years ### What does Greenhouse Frog eat? This tiny frog munches on small bugs and other creepy crawlies found in its habitat. ### Where is Greenhouse Frog usually found? Urban areas ### How does Greenhouse Frog hunt? Foraging ### How many eggs does Greenhouse Frog lay? 3-26 ## Where to spot - [Broadmoor](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/broadmoor) — Louisiana, US · Neighborhood - [Charleston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/charleston-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [Chatham Arch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chatham-arch) — Indiana, US · Neighborhood - [French Quarter](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/french-quarter) — US · Neighborhood - [Gasparilla Inn Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gasparilla-inn-historic-district) — Florida, US · Historic District - [Roosevelt Park Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/roosevelt-park-zoo) — North Dakota, US · Zoo [View all places to see Greenhouse Frog](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/greenhouse-frog) ## More Amphibians - [Eastern Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon cinereus*) - [California Slender Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-slender-salamander) (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*) - [Cuban Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cuban-tree-frog) (*Osteopilus septentrionalis*) - [European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad) (*Bufo bufo*) --- Source: [Greenhouse Frog: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/greenhouse-frog)