Amphibian Lab

For the last year or so, the “Sea Lab” located on the lower level of the museum has been closed off from view. In the months leading up to the opening of the Carolina SciQuarium, this room was used to house fish before their exhibits were finished. Now that these animals have moved to their permanent homes in the SciQuarium, the old Sea Lab has been transformed into an Amphibian Lab.

Greensboro Science Center visitors can now take a peek into the lab to view the slimy residents therein. Currently, the Amphibian Lab is home to a young Hellbender, White’s Tree Frogs, and Yellow & Black Dart Frogs. All of these animals are displayed in the window for visitors to see. The remainder of the lab will be used as quarantine and holding areas as new animals arrive.

Yellow & Black Dart Frog

DID YOU KNOW
The class Amphibia is made up of frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and caecilians. But what on Earth is a caecilian? These are amphibians who appear to be superficially similar to earthworms or snakes.

During Phase II of the GSC’s Master Plan, the Amphibian Lab will continue to metamorphose. The current plan is to convert this area into an educational wing featuring underground animals. In this “wUNDERWORLD,” visitors will encounter mysterious inhabitants of the dark, such as spiders, scorpions, leeches, and snakes.

New Poison Dart Frog Exhibit

Poison Dart Frogs are now on display in the Jaycees Herpetarium at the Greensboro Science Center. On Friday, the exhibit officially opened with Blue Dart Frogs (Dendrobates azureus). They are the first of three species that will call this habitat home.

Blue Dart Frog

In about a week, the Blue Dart Frogs will be joined by Golden Dart Frogs (Phyllobates terribilis), one of the most toxic animals on earth. Golden Dart Frogs are endangered in their native range near the Pacific Coast of Columbia, South America. A few weeks later, Yellow and Black Dart Frogs (Dendrobates Leucomelas) will be added to complete this mixed-species exhibit. All three species are native to tropical forests in northern South America.

Amphibians are watched closely around the world as they are so vulnerable to environmental changes with their moist permeable skin.  Many factors, from disease to changes in climate, can cause rapid extinctions with some species.  With more education in place, stronger efforts in conservation can help the survival with many of these delicate amphibians.  Learn more by visiting the Poison Dart Frog Exhibit in the Jaycees Herpetarium daily between 9:00am and 5:00pm.