Coquifornia

[EightFingers]

They're adapting alright. Now they are squeaking at 2 in the afternoon. Used to stop about 4 in the morning, but now go until around 9, with a couple even in the afternoon. Also seem to be getting bigger!

[mermaid53]

Not to forget Coquis don't like dry climates either. Would seem unlikely they'd adapt to cold and dry conditions... and if that didn't take them out, there are predators we don't have here...snakes and other reptiles, large birds, and small mammals that would at least keep the population down.

I'd read that w/the ideal coqui conditions in Puna, coquis are outgrowing their relatives in Puerto Rico... the larger the louder?...wonderful.

[ElysianWort]

you are right eightfingers. They are adapting and mutating. Some chirp in the day especially during the rain. I'm wondering if there are any scientific studies at UHH. They are certainly getting bigger. They started at dime size now I'm seeing some quarter sized, heck maybe half dollar. Mutant Puna coquis.

[beepbeep]

I would prefer not to have them, but if you must send us something, even coqui seem better than those tiny fire ants.

Pam in CA

[Kenney]

Hi Pam. Nice to see you chiming in. Hope you're doing well there.

You're right . Since we now have KFA, nobody thinks much about the noisy but harmless (to us, not crickets) Coqui.

[PaulW]

I hardly notice the coquis anymore. Have they gotten quieter or have I gone deafer?

[Kenney]

I don't think they've gotten quieter Paul...

[TomK]

Although I'm now less sensitive to the noise, my experience is there are fewer coquis but the ones remaining are much larger and louder - I'm talking about my place only, can't speak for other locations. When one of those finds its way near or onto the lanai, the noise is deafening and they are harder to find. Having said that, the fire ants are more of a problem and actually cause physical pain.

[EightFingers]

Maybe you're getting deaf.......
Maybe I am too as the coquis don't bother me at all. Ones that get close are hunted down and thier carcasses are laid out in the driveway as examples of what will happen if "one gets too close".

[TomK]

8F - that was a tactic used in medieval times, and have often thought I need to hang, draw and quarter fire ants and display their heads on spikes to deter the rest of them, but for some reason, I don't think it'll be effective. I'm now considering pouring hot oil from the roof and standing up there shouting "Freedom!".

Not sure what the neighbors will think of that though.