List Members..... Outstanding article about Biology and Frogs in Jan 2013 Smithsonian. It can be found here:
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/How-the-Tree-Frog-Has-Redefined-Our-View-of-Biology-183845601.html?c=y&page=1 Obviously one of the most popular Frogs on the Planet....Agalychnis callidryas, the Red-eyed Tree Frog. Have been able to spend a good deal of time in the wild....Belize, Costa Rica and Panamá with them. Seeing them as they are described in this article, certainly one of highlights of my life in Biology. The article goes far beyond the basics and has many interesting ideas. Am quite familiar with the Researcher featured here and this is no doubt her favorite research issue. This article comes from Gamboa, Panamá. Our Partner in Panamá, Guido Berguido....some on the list have met him, has lodgings here for groups and individuals that go to Panamá. An amazing guy and one of the finest young Naturalists that we have ever worked with. Just Google his name and you will see what I mean. Have spent more time with them in captivity and have had good luck in breeding them in captivity, not exactly a simple task from the beginning. In my opinion, not all that great for the classroom, even their coloration is obviously spectacular. Have taken them to Conventions with me and showed them up close to Educators. The main problem is that they are nocturnal and whether in your classroom or at your local zoo, usually plastered up against a leaf or the inside of a terrarium, and so there is not all that much to see. Everything about their life history if completely fascinating. I could go on for a week and a half, but won't. If you ever decide to give them a try....they are not extremely expensive....you can find them, based on size and age for 25.00-40.00 each. Make sure you do everything you can to find a source that is selling Captive Bred Frogs, there is no reason at all these days for them to be taken from the wild. Also, if you want to breed them, you will need to have a colony....so, no cut and dry rule, but 6-8 Frogs in the same terrarium. Once you get the routine down, taking care of them is simple. I would not start out trying to breed them, try one or two until you really understand how to take care of them. You will at times see them for sale in large quantities, guaranteed, you will regret going that route. Please feel free to e-mail me off-list with any questions you have about them. Again, should you be dead set on having brilliantly colored Frogs in your classroom, I will always lean towards some species of Poison Frog for many, many reasons. Will talk to you about that as well. Also, about Frogs....see smithsonian.com/frogs for plenty of information. Thank you. Mike Nolan ---------- If we are on another line or away from the phone, please leave your number, best time to return your call and your e-mail address. After hours and weekend phone appointments are available upon request. Sincerely, J. Michael Nolan, Director Rainforest and Reef ****************************************************************************************** "Outstanding-Affordable Field Courses in Rainforest & Marine Ecology" Destinations and Field Courses that we Specialize in: North America....Alaska (Southeast and the Interior), Hawaii, British Columbia, the Florida Keys and Everglades National Park Caribbean....The Islands of Curacao and Dominica Central America....Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panamá South America....Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador and The Galápagos Islands and Péru Mexico....The Baja Peninsula (especially during the Spring Whale Migration and Breeding season) East Africa....Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar Island Australia and New Zealand Birding, Photography, Botanical Garden Tours are available upon request to most Destinations that we offer. The following "Research Expeditions" are now also available upon request...Endangered Species of Brazil; Macaws and Primates of the Peruvian Amazon (Tambopata-Candamo Reserve Zone) and Endangered Sea Turtles of Costa Rica (widecast.org). Spanish/Cultural Immersion Programs are available in Costa Rica, Panamá, Ecuador, Perú, Bolivia and Spain. Sea Kayaking is available in British Columbia, Southeast Alaska, Baja Mexico, Belize and The Galápagos Islands. References/Comments from past Group Leaders and Individual Participants can be found at our Website (http://rainforestandreef.org/comments.htm), many more are available upon request. Rainforest and Reef 161 Main St. Coopersville, MI 49404 Local/International Phone: 1.616.604.0546 Toll Free U.S. and Canada: 1.877.255.3721 Fax: 1.616.604.0546 Google Talk/MS IM/Skype: travelwithrandr AOL IM: buddythemacaw E-mail: [email protected] and [email protected] Note: Please send inquiries to both e-mail addresses Web: http://rainforestandreef.org (under revision for 2013 and beyond) ******************************************************************************************
