Poll - What Frogs for a school vivarium ?

[JJuchems]

I am opening this thread for suggestions. I often get ideas in my head, and then get set on them. This tank will be a display for a few events this fall and winter and will be kept in my classroom. So vote on genus and then post species and morph in the thread. It is a 15g. Voting will ends Weds night. Keep in mind it will be surrounded by 10-11 year olds every morning 5 days a week. The nice rimless look was done by ryan10517 over on DB. I have been wanting one, but have not had the time. He is a college kid with the spare time.

[BcsTx]

IMO 15 gallon is to small for Pums or a pair of bigger frogs, I voted for Ranitomeya, altho a pair of Vents or Imi's would be ok.

[afterdark]

I also voted Ranitomeya and would second the imi suggestion.

[Philsuma]

Little kids with small attention spans, need to see big, active frogs. The bigger the better.

[Michael Lawrence]

I agree with Phil, The viv is too small for my own interest as I see most thumbs being too active for a terrestrial 15 but your talking about kids being infront of it on a daily basis. I would go with something very bold and less fragile and not likely to be so stressed. Id go with a couple male tincs or possibly a Leuc or terrib. I dont think anything in the auratus family would be as visible to them.

Michael

[JJuchems]

Interesting comments since a 15g has the same surface area as 20/25g, volume would play more of a role for arboreal species. I have had tanks on display in the past, and it is interesting reading recommendations here and on DB. Both comparing sites, and seeing species. This is done more out of curiosity, I will have the tank completed and displayed starting this weekend.

[Michael Lawrence]

yes I know the footprint but you dont get 20 gallons of usable space once its setup. I would think you would want to use a very bold frog since its for the kids. As far as how many is where we will likely disagree.

Michael

[JJuchems]

It will be a pair, and I find it interesting the number of recommendations of leucs. I can say it will not be leucs. I find them boring, and a bad display. My auratus are more out going than leucs in displays.

[Philsuma]

I can say it will not be leucs. I find them boring, and a bad display. My auratus are more out going than leucs in displays.

No prob with your opinion on species Jason, but I strongly disagree. I think Dendrobates leucomelas are an above average display animal with fantastic boldness and aggressive feeding.

For displays to the general public - the iconic blue on blue azureus is always a huge hit - especially with the little ladies who love the colour.

I would still go with 2 Tincs, maybe cobalts so that they are large, active and colourful.

just my .02

[Philsuma]

oh...and a bigger tank.Even just slightly.

[JJuchems]

When the poll is over, I will provide species and rational. I am enjoying the comments.

[Philsuma]

When the poll is over, I will provide species and rational. I am enjoying the comments.

You tryin' sum kinda Jedi Mind trick here Jason ?

[JJuchems]

“Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.” -Bruce Lee

Give it time grasshopper. The rabbit can not catch the tiger without his mind.

[afterdark]

Little kids with small attention spans, need to see big, active frogs. The bigger the better.

I won't disagree about bigger - but my imis are what I would consider 'active'. Almost constantly moving about the tank, hunting or climbing. I've seen a lot of pretty darn lazy larger frogs (especially terribs).

[Philsuma]

Little kids with small attention spans, need to see big, active frogs. The bigger the better.

I won't disagree about bigger - but my imis are what I would consider 'active'. Almost constantly moving about the tank, hunting or climbing. I've seen a lot of pretty darn lazy larger frogs (especially terribs).

Most small children associate large size animals with value, worth and other intangibles. Look at how the general public (adults included here too) perceives the big 5 - African iconic "macro fauna".

When is the last time you saw advertisements or even media programming showcasing a tiny frog instead of a larger mammal. Same principle. "Bigger" garners more interest.

Of course, being a potential scientist, I disagree with this broad brush....but it is, what it is. You need to get the most bang for the buck with animal exhibits. Most Zoological displays measure public viewers by the....SECOND.

[Michael Lawrence]

Why not just ask the kids what they would like to see, Give them a few options. As long as the viv is build to suit the frogs you choose to use its just a matter of space as an issue. I do think larger frogs are more interesting and way less likely to get stressed out by a bunch of kids.

Michael

[JJuchems]

After a week of major PC issues, I am back. I will post my response this weekend. I will let you know that the tank have D. auratus.

[JJuchems]

My reference cited post was deleted when I had to reload windows on my computer. So sorry for the delay in this post. This is from the information I know, I am going to spare the references.

First I went with Nicaraguan auratus. They are a bolder auratus and frogs on display need to have the recognizable on public display. This tank will go beyond my classroom to local children's museums, museums, nature centers, libraries, ect.

IN the 1980's research showed the average exhibit being viewed for 28-60 seconds. Exhibits have moved well beyond that created more realistic and interactive displays. Today it seem when an interactive feature is offered the visit averages 7-12 minutes with 40-50% percent of the time view enclosure. The relationship between the inhabitants, signage, and programing/involvement plays a crucial role on retainment of information. Interpretive programs have shown to have (depending on the research you read) 60-70% higher retainment of information than reading a sign.

[Philsuma]

How are the frogs doin' Jason ?

[JJuchems]

This was the first complete week of school for the 2012-2013 school year, first full attendance day was last Thursday. During spring we had an electrical surge that blew out my $75 TOM lighting fixture. I rigged up a fixture to use the same plant bulb that was in the TOM unit, only to return to find that the summer renovation team, fixing the electrical issues, dropped and broke the fixture. Since I did not know that, 90% of the plants died. The Nicaraguan auratus were given away at the end of the year to a former student.

Now, I cleaned the log, replace background and substrate to rebuild the tank. I had an old 18" aquarium light I picked up used. I just added a Zoo Med Flora Sun bulb as the one I had blew out today. I reset-up this week.