ROCHESTER, NY—Visitors examine living frogs of all colors, shapes and sizes at the Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) in a new traveling exhibition, Frogs: A Chorus of Colors. From Friday, October 16 through Sunday, January 10 in the Riedman Gallery, guests discover the amazing adaptations of a wide variety of frogs and uncover the significant clues they offer about our environment’s health and stability.
With dozens of unusual frogs, Frogs: A Chorus of Colors offers visitors a unique look at these fascinating amphibians. “To experience so many frog species from around the world up close and in such fine detail is incredibly rare,” said Dan Menelly, chief program officer for science and technology, RMSC. “We are excited to provide the Rochester community with this excellent opportunity to explore the stories of some of the most visually stunning and adaptively remarkable life forms on Earth.”
In the exhibition, visitors discover frogs’ biology, natural history and role in human cultures, importance to ecosystems and the peril they face in a changing environment. The most advanced traveling frog exhibition in the country, Frogs: A Chorus of Colors features these creatures as they hop, climb and glide (even burrow!) in their natural environments recreated in astonishing detail. From the tropical forests, frozen tundras and scorching deserts, visitors explore the striking variety of frogs. Species on exhibit include sure-footed tree frogs, Chinese gliding frog, American bullfrog, tomato frog, jewel-toned poison dart frog and a variety of horned frogs, among many others.
Frogs: A Chorus of Colors is teeming with activity and brings to light the astonishing details of animal adaptations represented in the striking variety of frogs, of which there are approximately 5,400 species in the wild. These amazing amphibians embody the diversity of nature and the importance of form and function in living systems. Camouflage, poison and mimicry are strategies that have shepherded these vulnerable creatures through time. Guests also discover a frog’s diet, learn curious frog facts and immerse themselves in educational activities as they find hidden frogs, activate frog calls and perform a virtual dissection. Also, visitors examine the stages of metamorphosis and challenge themselves to identify the differences between frogs and toads.
A leap into nature’s rainbow-colored ecosystem reveals the important impact frogs have on our lives. Frogs have played roles in inspiring stories and myths, conjuring spells and designing weapons. Uniquely, frog skin is covered with a cocktail of protective chemicals—some may be useful in human medicine. While there is promise, there are also perils. Many frogs serve as important signs of our environment’s health and stability. The chorus of croaks, grunts and whistles are fading. As humans change natural environments, frogs around the world are disappearing.
From the RMSC archaeology, ethnology and zoology vaults, more than 20 items are on display to enhance the frog-filled experience. Cultural objects include a 12-foot early 20th century totem pole from Alaska featuring a frog carving and a South American quiver to hold blowgun darts (the Emberá people’s practice of tipping darts with poison dart frog secretions made hunting more effective). Natural science collections include a fully articulated frog skeleton, insect and mammal mounts that represent frog predators and prey and a frog skull that gives visitors an up-close look at the unique structures that make up its eyes and ears.
Visitors can enjoy special live animal shows every weekend during the duration of the exhibition in the Riedman Gallery. At 12:30pm and 2:30pm every Saturday and Sunday from October 17 through January 10, the Wildlife Defenders will present their live animals and also discuss environmental and wildlife conservation. The animals in attendance may include Eastern Grey Kangaroo, African Crested Porcupine and South American Marine Toads, among others. The Wildlife Defenders will also present during select school breaks and special events. The Wildlife Defenders are a wildlife education outreach group run by staff and day program members of Bridges for Brain Injury, Inc.
Admission to Frogs: A Chorus of Colors is free with regular Museum admission—$13 adults, $12 seniors and college students with ID, $11 ages 3 to 18, free for RMSC members and children under 3. For group reservations and rates, call 585.697.1942. Frogs: A Chorus of Colors will be open daily. Visit www.rmsc.org for hours and other details.
Media sponsors for Frogs: A Chorus of Colors include 98 PXY and KidsOutAndAbout.com.
All precautions are being taken to ensure the safety of each frog. State-of-the-art controls provide lighting, humidity, temperature and water quality to meet the needs of these delicate creatures. An expert frog caretaker will also be on duty.
Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland in Allenwood, Pennsylvania, an institution accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, created the exhibition.
For high-resolution images and additional information, contact Amanda Bayer, Communications Specialist, RMSC at 585.697.1962 or amanda_bayer@rmsc.org.
Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) includes the Science Museum, Strasenburgh Planetarium and Cumming Nature Center. Offering experiences at the Museum with more than 200 interactive exhibits, Planetarium with a 65-foot dome and Nature Center on 900 acres, the RMSC stimulates community interest in exploration. In addition, the more than 1.2 million RMSC collection items tell the story of Rochester’s past including its rich history of innovation and invention. RMSC receives major funding from Monroe County, where it is one of the top three most visited attractions serving children and families. For more information about RMSC, visit www.rmsc.org. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.
