selitpeR dna snaibihpmA Of the Fuqua Conservatory

and Orchid Center

Amphibians and ReptilesOf the Fuqua Conservatory at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

T A B L E o f C O N T E N T S

Amphibians …….……… 3Turtles ….………………. 9Lizards ………….…….. 18Birds ……………….….. 24

Mark Mandica, Amphibian Conservation Coordinatorwith the Conservatory, Conservation and Education Departments

© 2014 Atlanta Botanical Garden

About the Garden’s Conservatory

Amphibians and Reptiles at a Botanical Garden?

When the Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory was built 25 years ago, every detail was considered to establish a balanced, healthy environment in which the plants could flourish and be enjoyed. The Conservatory mirrors our own conservation philosophy, demonstrating that an entire habitat needs to be preserved for all it’s parts to thrive — fauna, as well as flora.

The Fuqua Conservatory and Orchid Center at the Atlanta Botanical Garden is home to many tropical species of plants from rain forests around the world as well as five species of frog, two species of turtle, many lizards, and even a few varieties of quail. Not only do these animals provide a sense of auditory and visual richness when one is walking in the conservatory, but they demonstrate a healthy system, where all these organisms can grow — much like what we are striving for with our conservation efforts in Georgia, and around the world.

Amphibians

Phantasmal Poison FrogEpipedobates tricolorPoison Frogs can be very dangerous in the wild. In captivity, these frogs are non-toxic and completely harmless. This is due to their diet, which in the wild is the source of their toxicity.

E C U A D O R

Epipedobates tricolor ‘morispunga’

Phantasmal Poison Frog transporting eggs.Many Poison Frogs of the family Dendrobatidae are terrestrial breeders that transport their tadpoles to water after hatching.E C U A D O R

CoquiEleutherodactylus coquiOccasionally, Coquis can been seen or even heard during the day. Here is one perched on a leaf in the front of the Conservatory (the Tropical House). They are particularly loud on mornings after the Conservatory plants are watered.

P U E RT O R I C O

Bahama WhistlerEleutherodactylus johnstonei

The Bahama Whistler or Johnstone’s Robber Frog, like the Coqui are direct developers and lack a free-swimming tadpole stage. Tiny frogs pop directly out of the eggs at hatching.

L E S S E R A N I T I L L E S

Greenhouse FrogEleutherodactylus planirostrisGreenhouse Frogs are notorious colonizers, and probably snuck into the Garden on plant deliveries. They can be found in the Conservatory as well as the Orchid Display House.

C U B A

Reptiles

Stinkpot

Pink Belly Short Neck TurtleEmydura subglubosa

A U S T R A L I A A N D N E W G U I N E A

Alligator Snapping TurtleMacrochelys temminckii

During an After School Class, we pulled the large Alligator Snapping Turtle out of the Conservatory pond to weigh him. That day he weighed 26 pounds.

S E U N I T E D S TAT E S

Alligator Snapping TurtleMacrochelys temminckiiM. temminckii has an appendage at the end of its tongue that resembles a worm. In the water, it lures curious fish towards the mouth by simply wiggling its tongue. Illustration by Mark Mandica.

S E U N I T E D S TAT E S

Asian Big Head TurtlePlatysternon megacephalum is a critically endangered species. The name ‘Big Head’ comes from being the only turtle with a shell on its head. It’s head is so large in fact, that it can’t be retracted into its shell like most turtles.

A S I A

Central American Wood TurtleRhinoclemmys pulcherrimaWe have three of these amazing turtles on ‘Turtle Island’ in the front of the Conservatory. They have reproduced several times and young turtles are being reared off-exhibit.

C E N T R A L A M E R I C A

Cuban Knight AnoleAnolis equestris

A beautiful, diurnal species whose bright green coloration make it difficult to spot during the day. Keep your eyes on the sides of trees (like this tree fern) and you just might see it.

C U B A

Tokay GeckoGekko gecko

A large, arboreal and nocturnal gecko. These lizards can occasionally be heard in the Conservatory. Their calls have been described as ‘GECK-o, GECK-o’.

SOUTH EAST ASIA

Tokay GeckoGekko gecko

This picture captures the attitude of the typical Tokay Gecko. They are excellent climbers due to the tiny ‘hairs’ on their toes called ‘setae’ that find imperfections in any surface to stick to.

S O U T H E A S T A S I A

Oustalet’s ChamaeleonFurcifer oustaletiiOustalet’s are one of the largest species of chamaeleon. These particular lizards are from a feral population in South Florida. Look for them on the ends of high branches.

M A D A G A S C A R

Standing’s Day GeckoPhelsuma standingiThese beautiful diurnal geckos seem to like the front of the Conservatory, so look for them there and in the Orangerie.

M A D A G A S C A R

Gambel’s QuailCallipepla gambelii Gambel’s Quail is distinguished from the California Quail by the brown cap on the head. Males have a larger plume coming from the forehead.

S W U N I T E D S TAT E S

California QuailCallipepla californica

California Quail is distinguished from the Gambel’s Quail by the grey cap on the head. Males have a darker cap than the females.

T H E S TAT E B I R D O F C A L I F O R N I A

Scaled QuailCallipepla squamataScaled Quail have prominent feathers on their chest and flanks resembling reptilian scales. They also have a white tuft on their heads resembling cotton.

S W U N I T E D S TAT E S

Spur Thigh TortoiseCentrochelys sulcataThe Garden’s Spur Thigh Tortoise is not on exhibit, but she is a favorite in Education and Outreach programs such as After School Classes, Endangered Species Day and Summer Camp.

A F R I C A

Amphibians and Reptiles of the Fuqua Conservatory© 2014