Frogs in Hawaii: identification guide and where to start looking
Hawaii has no native frogs, but several introduced species thrive across the islands. The coqui frog and greenhouse frog are the most common. Start your search on the Big Island or Maui at night, especially after rain, and listen for their calls.
Hawaii has no native frogs, but several introduced species thrive across the islands. The coqui frog and greenhouse frog are the most common. Start your search on the Big Island or Maui at night, especially after rain, and listen for their calls.
1. What types of frogs are found in Hawaii?
All of Hawaii's frogs are introduced. The most widespread is the coqui frog (Eleutherodactylus coqui), native to Puerto Rico. The greenhouse frog (Eleutherodactylus planirostris) is also common and smaller. Other species like the cane toad and bullfrog appear occasionally but are less established. No native frog species live in the islands.
See ourstate wildlife pagefor the next step.
In Hawaii, frogs sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to the most useful ID markers and likely lookalikes. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.
2. Where in the state are frogs most likely noticed first?
The Big Island's windward side (Hilo area) and east Maui are the hotspots. I've heard coqui frogs calling constantly near Volcano Village and along Highway 132. On Oahu, populations exist but are smaller. Look in moist, forested residential areas or near plant nurseries. Frogs often hide under leaf litter and inside bromeliads.
See ourFrogs guidefor the next step.
3. What is the best season or time window for confident sightings?
Frogs are active year-round, but your best odds are during the wet season (November through March) when nighttime humidity is highest. They call and breed after rain. Start listening at dusk; the peak calling period is the first few hours after dark. Daytime sightings are rare unless you move debris where they hide.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
4. How can you identify a coqui frog versus a greenhouse frog?
The coqui frog gives a loud two-note call that sounds like "co-KEE." It has large toe pads, a dark stripe through the eye, and reaches about 2 inches long. The greenhouse frog is smaller (under 1 inch) and has a cricket-like trill. Its skin is bumpy, and it lacks the eye stripe. Both can vary from brown to light gray.
5. What field marks should you look for?
Coqui frogs have a prominent dark strip from the snout past the eye. Their toe pads are roughly the size of the eye. Greenhouse frogs have small toe pads and a warty back. Look also for the color morph: coqui can be golden-brown or gray, while greenhouse frogs often have a light line down the middle of the back. The call is your best field mark.
6. What is the history of frogs in Hawaii?
The coqui frog arrived in the late 1980s in nursery plants from Puerto Rico. It spread quickly because it has no natural predators here. The greenhouse frog came even earlier, possibly in the 1800s. Both are invasive and have sparked control efforts. I first heard coqui in 2005 on the Big Island and could hardly believe how loud they were.
7. Can you see frogs in Hawaii by day?
It's possible but requires effort. Look under rocks, boards, and plant pots in damp areas. Greenhouse frogs are more likely to be active during the day in overcast conditions. Coqui frogs call only at night. If you really want a daytime look, gently lift leaf litter in a shady, moist garden. You'll most likely find a greenhouse frog.
8. What frog-themed gear might help you appreciate them?
If the search for frogs has you wanting to bring a little of that experience home, check out these prints. ARed Eyed Tree Frog Limited-Edition Printmakes a colorful reminder of the Pacific tree frogs you might hear. TheWall art print: Frog by Eimear Maguirecaptures the coqui's curious posture. For a bolder look, try theiCanvas Frog Green Wall Art by Jo Lynch. And if you prefer to express your frog interest on a shirt, see ourwildlife shirts.
### Pine Barrens Tree Frog Limited-Edition Print
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9. Frequently asked questions about frogs in Hawaii
**Are there any native frogs in Hawaii?** No, Hawaii has no native amphibians. All frogs were introduced. **Can you keep a coqui frog as a pet?** It's illegal to move them between islands or collect them without a permit. **Why are coqui frogs considered a pest?** Their loud calls (up to 100 decibels) can disturb sleep, and they eat native insects. **What other frogs live in Hawaii?** You might find cane toads, bullfrogs, and Japanese wrinkled frogs in limited areas, but coqui and greenhouse frogs dominate.
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