Coming soon, the fish in the HUB-Robeson Center will be getting new neighbors.
The advisory board for the empty tank in the HUB-Robeson Center considered sea horses and freshwater fish before deciding to create a vivarium for amphibians.
Chemistry lecturer Robert Minard is organizing the operation that will bring the colorful frogs to the HUB-Robeson Center. He first thought the frogs would be the best option for the tank after having read a study by Joseph Kiesecker, assistant professor of biology.
Kiesecker's report explained the high mortality rate of frogs in North America as associated with the ozone.
"We want something pretty and colorful that would call everyone's attention to the plight of the ecosystem, that is, of the rainforest," Minard said.
Rather than North American frogs, more colorful frogs from South America called poison dart frogs will be used to brighten the HUB-Robeson Center's ground floor.
Poison dart or poison arrow frogs got their name because they secrete a poison substance that the rainforest natives would put on their darts, Minard said.
"In captivity, they are not poisonous because they do not eat poisonous plants," Minard said. He explained that the poison came from a diet that the frogs will not be exposed to in the vivarium.
Rather than poisonous plants, the frogs will be fed crickets and mealworms about every three days.
Just like with the fish tank, many people have volunteered to feed and keep up the tank. At least 14 people have volunteered to date.
Currently, Minard and his team of professors and students are working on the technicalities of putting together the vivarium. The tank will include a waterfall, jungle vegetation, special misters and tools to measure humidity and heat.
"There are challenging aspects to keep the windows from fogging up," Minard said.
Minard also said they are considering adding other animals such as salamanders. "We have to be careful because things eat things," he said.
Brendan Sizemore (sophomore-microbiology) expressed an interest in seeing the frogs and other animals in the HUB-Robeson Center.
"It looks like there are going to be more animals in the HUB. It should be great. We should have a zoo in the HUB. Why not? It goes with the frogs and the fish," Sizemore said.
Minard believes the frogs will enjoy the vivarium as much as Penn State students will.
"You might have some mortality, but I imagine that this is going to be one of the nicest vivariums a frog could ask for," Minard said.
"They should be happy because they won't have any predators and they will be fed regularly," he added.
Alison Landau (senior-human development and family studies) looks forward to the frogs' arrival.
"I guess, probably for visitors who come, it will make it seem like a cooler place to be. It will add color. I don't know if it would change someone's mind about if they want to come to Penn State, but it will add to it," Landau said.
By some time next month, Minard plans to have the vivarium design and materials ready for construction by the beginning of the Spring Semester.
"It goes kind of slow if you involve students. The principle is to actively involve students in the project, get their input and their ideas. This is coming from a lot of students in the biology club," Minard said.
As it stands now, the frogs are due to arrive in the HUB-Robeson Center sometime in February.
