The Atlanta Botanical Garden is home to 400 to 500 frogs at
any given time…sometimes considerably more. And that doesn't include all the
bullfrogs you see throughout the Garden during warmer weather.
Blue Poison Dart Frog, Atlanta Botanical Garden
The Amphibian Display in the Dorothy Chapman FuquaConservatory showcases numerous kinds of frog, mostly from South America,
including this Blue Poison Dart Frog. If you missed the recent performance of
The Blue Man Group at the Fox, this is a great alternative--although they may
not be banging garbage cans with PVC, they’re much more vocal.
At any given time, you’re sure to see several of the frogs roaming around in their tropical habitats (some of still as stone), but if you’d like to see all the frogs that live in
those habitats, stop by the Garden for their Saturday, 11:00 a.m. feeding…they all come
out for breakfast!
And the Amphibian Specialist who is feeding them is happy to
answer any questions you may have…come up with some good ones!
Feel free to use this pre-sized Facebook Cover Photo on your
own page and then head over to the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook Page for more.
So, while The Blue Man Group has come and gone from The FoxTheatre (surely they’ll be back), you can still see quite a bit of entertaining blue in
Atlanta. Just head over to the Atlanta Botanical Garden—Saturday mornings at
11:00 if you can—and revel in the marvel of the Blue Poison Dart Frog.
The Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory
Atlanta Botanical Garden
As the story goes, Mr. Fuqua approached the Garden's executive director, at the time that was Ann Crammond, and asked what would put the Atlanta Botanical Garden "on the map." Ms. Crammond's immediate answer was "A conservatory!"
Mr. Fuqua proposed a $3 million gift. After exploring other conservatories, it was determined that $3 million would be enough to construct a conservatory, but it would be one of the smallest in the country. Mr. Fuqua very generously increased his gift to $5.5 million dollars!
The Fuqua Conservatory has 16,000 square feet of display area and consists of several spaces, including:
Visitors who attend Cocktails in the Garden or Garden Lights have the unique opportunity to hear something daytime visitors never do. While during any visit you can hear the myriad of creatures contributing a sensory experience in the way of sound, at night, when the sun goes down, the volume goes way up! So, when you're there for an evening event, be sure to take a stroll through the Conservatory.
The Conservatory is a must-see, must-experience during any visit to the Garden. And if you'd like to see Dorothy herself, there's a gorgeous portrait of here just inside the Orchid Center as you enter from the Edible Garden.
This photograph was taken from inside the Crape Myrtle Allee. In the foreground is the Promenade Fountain and Howell Plaza; in the middle ground is the Great Lawn—sight of concerts, galas, and Tai Chi classes; and the Conservatory in the background, with a bit of Atlanta's skyline peeking over the top.
The Atlanta Botanical Garden serves as home for more than just thousands of species of plants, trees, and flowers…a whole ark of animals call it home, too.
Among the non-plant residents are a number of frogs, many from South and Central America, including: Panama, Colombia, and Suriname, to name just a few.
On this particular visit, I joined 22 other visitors for a viewing of the daily frog feeding. The group's members came from near and far and were of all ages, each eager to see the consistent crowd favorite…the bright yellow and vivid blue poison dart frogs.
They were there to see the other species, too, as well as to learn about the Garden’s amphibian research and conservation programs.
Robert with Garden guests
Robert was the amphibian specialist conducting the feeding and the discussion (as he was when I’ve previously attended a frog feeding). Robert is younger than you might imagine for a person who knows as much as he does about amphibians, but he delivers a strong confidence and a passion for his particular discipline. And he has a subtle, dry sense of humor that I and other visitors admired and enjoyed.
Splendid Leaf Frog
He emerged from behind a door marked “staff only” with a canister reminiscent of something that an exterminator would carry, with the tell-tale stick nozzle for spraying. Robert assured us that the contents were not harmful to the frogs, that it was actually only distilled water.
Spraying the Habitat
The water spray seemingly acted as a dinner bell. As soon as Robert started spraying the interior walls of the habitat, every single frog emerged…surely with the full knowledge that lunch was about to be served.
Of course we were curious what the Garden feeds their frogs. After spraying, Robert returned to the back and returned with two plastic containers of…fruit flies—the frogs’ lunch.
Poison Dart Frogs
The different species have different diets. In addition to fruit flies, their daily food offerings include crickets, bean beetles, and cockroaches (yuck!), as well as a few other totally gross items.
When the little guys started eating their flies, I had a flashback to “Toad” from the movie “X-Men.” As little as these frogs are, their tongues are relatively long…and they were hungry! Zap here, zap there…full scale dining had ensued.
The frogs are fed daily, usually around 11:00 a.m. during the week and assuredly at 11:00 a.m. on Saturdays—the advertised frog feeding time. The feeding takes place just inside the Fuqua Conservatory on the right at the Amphibian Display.
There are four distinct frog habitat displays, which house dozens of the Gardens' approximately 400-500 frogs. They are:
Colombia’s Terrible Trio
The Blue Frog of Suriname
Splendid Leaf Frog
Frogs of Panama
Each species is unique and has very interesting stories behind them. Be sure to ask Robert, “Which frog is the most toxic land vertebrate?” and “Why is the tiny Rocket Frog so loud?”
Garden Visitors
Also near the Conservatory lobby, also to the right near the restrooms, is a display of Georgia salamanders. Of the four species, one is found only on Pigeon Mountain located in the northwestern part of Georgia.
While you’re at the Garden, look for the Giant Frogs (made of copper, I believe). They’re great to make photos with and they’re located throughout the Garden, but can usually be found just outside the Hardin Visitor Center, at the north end of the Great Lawn, and in the Children’s Garden.
Part of the Garden’s frog conservation initiatives includes the frodPOD, a state-of-the-art research facility located on the Garden grounds near the Fuqua Conservatory. Unfortunately for us (but good for the 13 species of frogs living there), the frogPOD is not open to the public.
Darwin’s Frog is my favorite...it reminds me of Gonzo from The Muppets, but maybe a little more evolved. I hope to actually see one in the future...a Darwin's Frog that is. I can see Gonzo anytime I want at the Center for Puppetry Arts.
Spiny Toad
If you do not live in the Atlanta area and you’re interested in the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s amphibian research and conservation efforts, follow their frogPOD Blog. There’s lots of interesting content there about what’s happening at the Atlanta Botanical Garden and around the (frog) world.
The Return
Am I hungry for more frog feedings? I’ve been twice and both times it was educational as well as entertaining…I’ll definitely go again. It’s the one time of day that you get to see (almost) all of the frogs in the habitat!
If you go to the Garden during the month of August (2011) between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., admission is only $10 if you bring a printed “Beat the Heat” coupon (or display it on your mobile device). The frog feeding viewing is included with admission.
Visiting the Atlanta Botanical Garden
Date toured: Wednesday, July 06, 2011 Location: 1345 Piedmont Avenue, NE (directions and map) Parking: Onsite, price depends on length of stay; limited street parking nearby Cost: Adults $18.95; Children (3-12) $12.95; Children under 3 admitted free Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. April-October (until 10 p.m. on Thursdays); Closed Mondays Website: http://www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org
