American Museum of Natural History Opens Live Frog Exhibition 5/18

Back by popular demand, Frogs: A Chorus of Colors is an engaging, dynamic exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History that features more than 150 live frogs, including ten species of colorful dart-poison frogs. On view from May 18, 2013, through January 5, 2014, the exhibition explores the diverse world of these complex amphibians by introducing visitors to their biology and evolution, their importance to ecosystems, and the threats they face in the wild.

Representing approximately 25 species from around the world, the frogs on display at the Museum range in size from the tiny phantasmal dart-poison frog (which is less than an inch long) to the enormous African bullfrog (which can be as big as 8 inches in length). Highlights of this year include the Mexican dumpy frog from semi-arid subtropical lowland forests in Mexico and the tomato frog, which is native to the lowlands of Madagascar.

Each frog is shown in a re-creation of its natural habitat that features realistic landscaping and organic materials. Interactive stations throughout the hall invite visitors to test their knowledge about frogs, study recorded frog calls, view videos of frogs in the wild, learn how a frog's anatomy allows it to out-jump Olympic athletes, and explore the stages of a frog's life cycle from egg to tadpole to full-grown adult.

The exhibition features the latest research findings about frogs, reflecting ongoing work by scientists in the Museum's renowned Department of Herpetology and their collaborators. It also includes a five-minute video that introduces the global extinction crisis amphibians currently face as a result of threats that include habitat loss, pollution, climate change, over-collection, emerging diseases, and the widespread chytrid fungus.

"We are very pleased to present a return engagement of Frogs: A Chorus of Colors," said Ellen V. Futter, President of the American Museum of Natural History. "People are utterly captivated by these charismatic, colorful animals. We hope that by engaging with these live creatures, children, adults, and families will learn about the extraordinary diversity of this group of animals, as well as their important roles within complex ecosystems and as environmental indicators."

The centerpiece of the exhibition-a large dart-poison frog vivarium-showcases more than 80 dart-poison frogs, including bumblebee poison frogs, Bastimentos strawberry poison frogs, blue poison frogs, green-leg poison frogs, and Campaña poison frogs.

Dart-poison frogs are so named because the Emberá, people indigenous to the Chocó region of northwestern Colombia, rub their blow darts along the backs of the frogs. Dart-poison species concentrate toxins in the ants and other insects they eat into far more potent secretions-a single golden poison frog contains enough poison to kill 20,000 mice or 10 humans. (The frogs in the exhibition, which were bred in captivity, have been fed a diet that lacks poisonous compounds, making them harmless.)

The vivarium enclosure is equipped with cameras placed at two different viewing stations that allow visitors to focus on individual frogs. A soundscape featuring the calls of more than 20 species fills this area with some of the most unusual and bizarre vocalizations made by these amphibians. American and African bullfrogs, Brazilian milk frogs, ornate horned frogs, African clawed frogs, and fire-bellied toads are among the other species featured in Frogs (see full list of featured species below).

Frogs presents up-to-date information on frogs and other amphibians, much of which is derived directly and indirectly from the rich legacy of herpetological and evolutionary research at the Museum. Museum scientists continually contribute to the reclassification of what are now counted to be 54 families and 6,200 species of frogs, shedding greater light on the evolution and diversity of frogs. Studies have shown that amphibians (of which frogs make up 88 percent) are on the decline worldwide. Nearly one-third of the world's amphibian species are threatened, compared to 13 percent of birds and almost 21 percent of mammals. Moreover, at least 34 amphibian species are known to be extinct and as many as 104 more may also be gone. Of the threats facing these animals, habitat loss and degradation is by far the most severe, affecting nearly 2,000 species worldwide.

"Frogs have existed on Earth for more than 200 million years-at least since the time of the dinosaurs," said Christopher J. Raxworthy, lead curator of Frogs, associate curator in the Department of Herpetology, and associate dean of science for education and exhibition. "Thanks to ongoing research efforts, we are beginning to understand the crucial role frogs play in the environment and the nature of the threats they face. Frogs: A Chorus of Colors offers visitors a glimpse into the world of these singular animals, as well as the message they send to us about our stewardship of ecosystems around the globe."

This exhibition is presented with appreciation to Clyde Peeling's Reptiland.

All frogs displayed in the exhibition have been bred in captivity in order to protect wild populations.