Texas Zoological Dart Frog exhibits

[Philsuma]

Can anyone recommend any Texas Zoos with nicely displayed PDF exhibits ?

I may have a chance to head on over there this summer for a coupla weeks and may like to check out some Zoos.

[IDPM]

Ft Worth is supposed to have something, from what I understand their whole herp wing had a makeover... I haven't been there for ages though, maybe somebody else will chime in.

How about bringing some Pums along :wink:

[Spud]

The Fort Worth Zoo built a brand new multi-million dollar Herpetarium a couple years ago. It has some really great exhibits. Unfortunately, at least the last time I was there, there was only one dart exhibit.

Definitely worth a visit if you are in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

[Cindy Dicken]

Our place has been called a zoo at times :lol:
Stop by if you're in the area.

[JuBJuB]

I second the MOLA building at the FT Worth zoo. Very nice facility.

As for darts, Cindy's house is the best in the area.

[RanaVenenosa]

I took the wife to the Dallas World Aquarium yesterday. General impressions was three stars out of five. The PDF exhibits were very disappointing. Although it may change, I saw 2 PDF vivs. The first has Leucs mixed w a tree frog. The tank has a strong water fall with a deep water water feature. The animals don't have any leaf litter or adequate places to hide out. The second viv was labeled as "Azureus", but only had one animal of that species. The other inhabitants were approx 5 green and bronze Auratus. As with the other viv, no leaf litter and few places to seek shelter. Two of the animals appeared to have health issues. I think they missed the boat on potential for showcasing amphibians.

What did they get right? My fav exhibit was the open air display of a Andean Sloth. Also, the general setup of having a 4-5 story "canopy" greenhouse is very pleasant for casual strolling. The amazon biotope paladrium that mixed 500 Cardinal Tetras with a 12 foot Anaconda was striking, but honestly the snake was difficult to view. Seeing that many Tetras in one place was really cool. They had some nice reef tanks, although they took liberties w the inhabitants despite each tank having a "site specific" name... The Mayan exhibit was interesting with the re-creation of a rain dance (performed by people in costume).

Lots of free flying birds required some caution about where to stand. Total time to view was about 2 1/2 - 3 hours.

I just realized the pics I took were saved at 2-3 mb each, so need to resize then post a few.

-Scott

[Philsuma]

Great review Scott....I'm a huge fan of reviews, as I strongly believe they help so many people and advance the hobby.

I wonder if some Texas froggers made contact with the head herpetologist / curator and got to know them on a first name basis and offered all kinds of help. Heck, frogs may even be able to be placed in the zoo.

Did you get pics of the Mayan stuff Scott ? Mayan / Mesoamerican culture and history are one of my top fav studies and hobbies (my Avatar).

[RanaVenenosa]

My wife was ticked because the battery of my new camera didnt make it before we got to see the Mayan room. Sorry!

You know, I gave thought to trying to contact them. My plan was to discuss this at the next local frog meeting. I have to believe the reason they fall short w some exhibits is time and resources (states the obvious but... consider the block buster quality of the overall zoo and you scratch your head).

[Philsuma]

At almost every single MADS meeting in the Maryland area...well...at Scott Menigoz's house anyway....there are always 1-2 Baltimore Aquarium herp personel present. We always hang out and talk. The next Texas meet / gathering....you guys should try to invite them.

[RichFrye]

I took the wife to the Dallas World Aquarium yesterday. General impressions was three stars out of five. The PDF exhibits were very disappointing. Although it may change, I saw 2 PDF vivs. The first has Leucs mixed w a tree frog. The tank has a strong water fall with a deep water water feature. The animals don't have any leaf litter or adequate places to hide out. The second viv was labeled as "Azureus", but only had one animal of that species. The other inhabitants were approx 5 green and bronze Auratus. As with the other viv, no leaf litter and few places to seek shelter. Two of the animals appeared to have health issues. I think they missed the boat on potential for showcasing amphibians.

Not surprised, sadly.

I just realized the pics I took were saved at 2-3 mb each, so need to resize then post a few.

-Scott

Very surprised! What did you do? Shoot a 30+ megapixel in RAW?

Rich

[RichFrye]

...

I wonder if some Texas froggers made contact with the head herpetologist / curator and got to know them on a first name basis and offered all kinds of help. Heck, frogs may even be able to be placed in the zoo.

...

Unfortunately I suspect most hobbyists who have tried to offer some big 'suggestions' to establishements like zoos and aquaria run into some of these roadblocks.
They have very strict boilerplate proceedures and most are in line with the bottom line. That bottom line 'forces' them to mix and not provide proper hides, leaf litter, ect. And many times pile more frog on top of each other than optimum for the health and longevity of the frogs.
Displays are geared toward making the visitor stop for more than a few seconds (quite literally) and look for the frogies in the aquarium. The more big, brightly colored froggies, the better the chance for prolonged viewing, the more interest, the more $$$$. And ALL zoos these days (and ALL people I know of) need more $$$. Thank god not all that need $$$ NEED to mix and cut corners to get that $$$.
Not all zoos, Us, and aquaria are created equal , it's just all the ones ( Shedd here in Chicago included) I have personally walked through (and talked to those 'in charge' of herps) barring ones south of the border, have fallen way short , so far.

Rich

[RanaVenenosa]

Thx for insight Rich - what you said is prob the norm and unfortunately is inconsistent w emphasis they often place on conservation. Hopefully, we locals can maybe make a difference... ? try anyway

btw - to answer your ques on my Camera... I started a post on my Canon in photo section to avoid high jacking his thread, but to your comment I am new to shooting w a quality camera. I was using the stock settings @ Fine quality and JPG format. I also took some video. I used my camera off and on for entire day, but battery pooped out about the time I got to the Maya exhibit.

[RichFrye]

...
btw - to answer your ques on my Camera... I started a post on my Canon in photo section to avoid high jacking his thread, but to your comment I am new to shooting w a quality camera. I was using the stock settings @ Fine quality and JPG format. I also took some video. I used my camera off and on for entire day, but battery pooped out about the time I got to the Maya exhibit.

The video is probably what ate up the memory card. I am very , very surprised you ate up the battery though. Did you charge and discharge it a couple times fully before using it at the zoo? If so, you may have a defective battery. Those new lithium ions should last a couple /few/more times through a full memory card.
How many pics were taken and how much video? How much flash was used?
The Canon forum rates that camera very, very well BTW . I shoot Canon DSLRs now and am very happy with the company as a whole.

[RichFrye]

...I just realized the pics I took were saved at 2-3 mb each, so need to resize then post a few.

-Scott

Sorry, I just woke up and did the proper conversion in my head. 2-3 MB is about right.
The battery issues is another thing though...


Rich

[RanaVenenosa]

I resized some pics

Enjoy

[Philsuma]

Nice photos Scott ! That's a 3 toed sloth I believe. A trip to the Sloth Sanctuary in Costa Rica left me with a profound sense of appreciation for them. That huge rain forest exhibit is VERY similar to the one in Baltimore Aquarium. Free range frogs and toads - at least 4-5 different species.