Mountain Chicken

A large, robust leptodactylid frog typically measuring 3.5–5.9 inches (9–15 cm) in length. Body is stocky and heavily muscled with relatively short limbs adapted for powerful jumping and burrowing. Dorsal coloration is typically brown to dark brown, often with a warty, bumpy texture. The dorsum may display irregular darker blotches or mottling, and the skin has prominent tubercles giving it a bumpy appearance. A key diagnostic feature is the presence of large, well-developed tympana (eardrums) visible behind the eyes. The head is broad and the snout is blunt. Dorsolateral folds are present but not sharply defined. Skin texture is warty and granular throughout. Ventral surface is cream to pale brown, often with darker mottling or spotting, particularly on the limbs and underside of the thighs. The underside of the hind feet may show a darker coloration. Limbs are relatively short and robust. Primarily inhabits montane forest areas, rocky ravines, and areas adjacent to fast-flowing mountain streams on Caribbean islands, with a preference for cool, humid microhabitats among leaf litter, rocky outcrops, and forest floor debris. Nocturnal and primarily terrestrial, spending daylight hours sheltered under leaf litter, logs, or in shallow burrows. Diet consists of insects and other arthropods, including beetles, crickets, ants, and various other invertebrates, actively foraged on the forest floor and in vegetation.

Call is a loud, distinctive series of rhythmic croaks or low-pitched honks, often described as a deep "grrounk" or "grrrronk," repeated in series. The call is one of the loudest among Caribbean frogs and may be audible at considerable distances from the calling male. Calls are typically given from burrows, under logs, or other sheltered microhabitats at night during the breeding season.

Similar species: Coqui Frog (Eleutherodactylus coqui) is smaller, typically less than 2 inches (5 cm), and lacks the prominent tubercular dorsal texture; Jamaican Giant Toad (Bufo marinus) is larger and heavily warted with a flattened body and prominent parotoid glands; Caribbean Robber Frog (Eleutherodactylus wetmorei) is smaller and more slender with less prominent tympana.