Poison dart frogs, for example, are shown in their natural habitat © NHM Vienna, C. Potter
Amphibians and reptiles in their natural habitat
Six elaborately designed dioramas showcase specimens and lifelike models in naturalistically recreated habitats, such as the
native European moor frogs, whose males are colored bright blue during the mating season.
Sky blue temptation
Contrary to what its name suggests, the moorfrog Rana arvalis (models here), belonging to the family of true frogs (Ranidae), is not only found in moors, but also in moist forests and
meadows. Its range extends from France to Siberia.
Only during the very short mating season in spring the skin of the male shimmers sky blue. The intensity of the blue coloration
depends on the temperature, sunlight, and the number of frogs at the spawning waters.
Warning rattle
Rattlesnakes (Fam. Viperidae) like the South American Cascabel rattlesnake Crotalus durissus have a tail rattle composed of keratinous rings. With each molting, another segment is added from skin remnants that are
not shed.
In case of danger, the tail rattle serves as a warning: the rings collide with each other, producing the snake’s distinctive
rattle.
For more information, click
on the red dots!
Step by step
The frilled lizard Chlamydosaurus kingii (Fam. Agamidae), which is found in Papua New Guinea and northern Australia, can spread its large umbrella-like frill.
When it feels threatened, the frill makes the lizard appear larger, thus deterring potential predators. When it wants to cover
short distances very quickly, the frilled lizard switches from a four-legged gait to a bipedal sprint.
Lizards in the sea?
The marine iguana Amblyrhynchus cristatus (Fam. Iguanidae), which is only found on the Galapagos (Ecuador), is the only lizard species that forages exclusively in
the sea for its food – seaweed and algae. The salt ingested during feeding is actively excreted via glands near the nostrils
– similar to a sneeze.
After diving in the cold sea, its body warms up quickly thanks to the black coloring. The red rock crab Grapsus grapsus (model) also lives on these rocky coasts.
