Colourful Frog Exhibition Opens at Canadian Museum of Nature on September 25

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Sept. 24, 2013) - A rainbow of live frogs from around the world will mesmerize visitors to the Canadian Museum of Nature (CMN) when the exhibition, Frogs - A Chorus of Colours, opens on September 25.

"This amazing exhibition is a genuine crowd-pleaser, says Meg Beckel, CMN President and CEO. "Frogs are among the most visually stunning, vocally interesting, and diverse group of creatures on Earth. Visitors of all ages will love this show."

The many species on display include tree frogs, tomato frogs, bullfrogs, horned frogs, dart poison frogs, toads and more. Each species is situated in an attractively recreated native habitat, complete with plants, rock ledges, and waterfalls.

Through several fun and informative interactive components, visitors will learn about frog biology, frogs' role in human cultures and their importance to ecosystems, as well as the perils they face in a changing environment. Kids and adults alike can delve into a virtual frog dissection or a "frog I.Q" test, as well as see how a frog jumps by spinning an old-fashioned zoetrope. Special activities include frog drawing and origami in a lounge area, crafts, three-hole mini-putt with frog dangers and a frog chorus jumping game.

Frogs - A Chorus of Colours was created by Clyde Peeling's Reptiland in Allenwood, Pennsylvania. It has been touring throughout the United States since 2003, being seen at such notable venues as the American Museum of Natural History in New York and the Museum of Science in Boston. To date, the CMN is the only Canadian venue.

The exhibition will be on display at the CMN until May 11, 2014, at 240 McLeod Street in Ottawa. In addition to regular museum admission, a surcharge of $4 applies.

For hours, admission, and other information, visit nature.ca. Like the CMN on Facebook, and follow on Twitter (@museumofnature).

Fun facts about frogs

• Frogs live almost everywhere - from tropical forests to the northern limits of the boreal forest, even in scorching deserts.
• Many frogs are more colourful than the most dazzling birds and the largest can grow to the size of a human infant!
• Along with hopping and jumping, frogs can climb, walk, run, burrow, swim, and even glide through the air.
• Frog skin is covered with a cocktail of protective chemicals, and some may be useful in human medicine. But frog skin can be dangerous as well. There are at least three species of frogs in South America with skin toxins capable of killing a human.
• When frogs mate, the eggs are fertilized on the outside. The male holds the female in a mating hug called amplexus, fertilizing the eggs as she lays them. Amplexus can last hours or days-one pair of Andean toads stayed in amplexus for four months!

About the Canadian Museum of Nature

The Canadian Museum of Nature is Canada's national museum of natural history and natural sciences. The museum provides evidence-based insights, inspiring experiences and meaningful engagement with nature's past, present and future through scientific research, a 10.5 million specimen collection, education programmes, signature and travelling exhibitions, and a dynamic web site, nature.ca. A founding member of the Alliance of Natural History Museums of Canada, the museum is working with partners to expand its national service and presence.