New Frogs hopping into Houston Museum of Natural Science

Monday, 14 May 2007 08:14

HOUSTON — Though a prince has yet to be found, Houstonians have fallen in love with frogs.  Due to the enormous popularity of the traveling special exhibition Frogs! A Chorus of Colors, the Museum has created Frogs, a sequel exhibition which will be on display June 1 – Sept. 3, 2007 at The Houston Museum of Natural Science.

“People have been absolutely amazed and fascinated by the diversity and delicacy of these colorful creatures,” said Edward Castillo, associate curator of zoology at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.  “We’re eager to continue this experience for visitors and hopeful that seeing the variety of captivating frogs that exist in nature, up close, will inspire people to take action in their own backyards to preserve these fragile habitats.”

The new exhibit will display new examples of many of the same species on display in Frogs! A Chorus of Colors, including the colorful, popular Poison Dart Frogs and Red-Eyed Treefrogs.  Many new species will be added, including Clown Treefrogs, Marine Toads, Strawberry Poison Dart Frogs, Beautiful Mantellas and Painted Mantellas. Visitors will also see live, exotic animals that belong to the frogs’ ecosystem, including a Matamata, Axolotl, Greater Siren, Boa Constrictor and Long Legged Katydids.

In addition to getting eyeball-to-eyeball with new frogs from around the world, visitors will have the opportunity to try their luck in the Rainforest Adventure Maze.  Surrounded by a range of jungle sounds, including the croaks, chirps, whoops, trills and whistles used by frogs, explorers descend through the four layers of the rainforest by answering ecology questions.  Incorrect answers lead to dead-ends describing the many threats to the survival of the rainforest. Correct answers lead visitors further into the rainforest.  Along the way, kids can get into the swing of things on the Brachiation Bars, designed to mimic the swing of the spider monkey, among many other fun, interactive activities. Frogs is underwritten locally by The Hamill Foundation and The Houston Museum of Natural Science Volunteer Guild.

The Houston Museum of Natural Science — one of the nation’s most heavily attended museums—is a centerpiece of the Houston Museum District. With four floors of permanent exhibit halls, and the Wortham IMAX® Theatre, Cockrell Butterfly Center, Burke Baker Planetarium and George Observatory and as host to world-class and ever-changing touring exhibitions, the Museum has something to delight every age group.  With such diverse and extraordinary offerings, a trip to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, located at One Hermann Circle Drive in the heart of the Museum District, is always an adventure. Visit : www.hmns.org