Shedd Aquarium’s new special exhibit, Amphibians, offers an adventure the whole family can jump into.
The 3,000-square-foot exhibit brings together more than 40 species of frogs, toads, salamanders, newts and rarely-seen caecilians from around the world in a colorful panorama of life, changing. From tadpole to adult, from season to season, and from rainforests and wetlands to woodlands, deserts and even tundra, amphibians’ lives are full of change!
Many of the clear habitats project beyond the exhibit’s walls so that family members can gather around to discover together where that little Solomon Island leaf frog is hiding in plain sight or marvel at the huge cane toad. Overhead aquatic habitats give you a new perspective—and great view—of an eel-like amphiuma so streamlined that it barely has legs and of bullfrog tadpoles that might just be sprouting legs on their way to becoming “finished” frogs. And kids will want to compare their size to the 2 1/2-foot-long Japanese giant salamander.
Plan a visit on a Wednesday evening, when the aquarium stays open until 10 p.m., for its summer-long outdoor music series Jazzin’ at the Shedd. In addition to great music from some of Chicago’s best jazz artists, this family-friendly event offers skyline views and lakefront breezes, fireworks over Navy Pier and relaxing, less-crowded visits with your favorite Shedd animals and new amphibian friends.
You can enjoy Amphibians, Jazzin’ and everything else Shedd has to offer again and again for free when you become a Shedd Aquarium member. Along with free priority entry for 12 months, membership offers you an insider’s view of Shedd, with emails about new animals, invitations to exclusive events, and opportunities to hear about animal care and conservation research from Shedd experts doing the work. Your membership also provides critical support for special exhibits like Amphibians as well as top-quality care for 32,000 animals, conservation projects around the world, educational programs for learners of all ages and free aquarium access for Illinois schoolchildren, educators and first responders.
At Shedd Aquarium, animals connect people to the living world, inspiring them to make a difference. As you explore Amphibians, these animals might seem infinitely adaptable, but it’s not certain they can survive the big changes happening in our world today. Changes in habitats and climate and new diseases affecting frogs and salamanders are putting amphibians at risk around the world. Check out the big touch-screen map to see how zoos and aquariums, scientists, and especially kids have projects in all 50 states to help amphibians. You can help too—the exhibit offers lots of ideas and inspirations for actions everyone in the family can take to help these engaging and endearing animals have a healthy future. And with support from members, Shedd can continue to tell these important stories.
