The recent storm activity seems to have stimulated some amphibian action within the Forest Gallery’s frog enclosures. Spawning has occurred in both enclosures, and egg-masses from two different species will be transported into our back-of-house facilities. This is to ensure that we safely manage the young tadpoles when they emerge.

One egg-mass belongs to Pobblebonk frogs (Limnodynastes dumerilii). They create a distinctive foamy mass which floats on the water with the eggs protected within it. The tadpoles wriggle down into the water when they emerge. The other spawning occurred in the enclosure housing Rocky River Tree Frogs (Litoria lesueuri), and Blue Mountains Tree Frogs (Litoria citropa). Since none of our staff observed the spawning, and the eggs and tadpoles of both species look very similar, we won’t be able to determine which species they are until the froglets emerge.

The distinctive floating egg-mass of the Pobblebonk. The black eggs are suspended within the protective foam. Photo: Alan Henderson, Source: Museum Victoria

It’s census time for Live Exhibits which means going through our entire animal collection and counting the numbers we have, and in most cases a breakdown of the sexes of each species. This information is a valuable part of our collection management, aiding us to plan our breeding requirements, acquisitions and disposals for the year ahead. The figures are also submitted to the zoological organisation ARAZPA, to be included in their Regional Census and Plan alongside data from zoos and other professional animal keeping facilities throughout Australasia. This enables cooperative breeding and animal exchange to take place between member institutions.

Quick stats for Live Exhibits (2008/9)

Total number of animal species held: 193

Total number of individual animals: 2738

Reptile species: 19

Amphibian species: 6

Invertebrate species: 148

Fish species: 15

Bird species: 5

Some animals aren’t counted during the census, and are happily put into the too hard basket! Ants for example are counted as 1 colony, not as individuals. We currently maintain 8 colonies of ants, comprising 7 different species.

These grasshoppers represent 1 species, 68 individuals (4 males 2 females and 62 juveniles) Photo Alan Henderson, Source Museum Victoria

After 2 years of living ‘behind the scenes’ at the Melbourne Museum, our impressive Rainforest Centipede (Ethmostigmus rubripes) has made its new home in Bugs Alive! With its many legs, elongated body and rapid movement it already impresses our visitors as much as it does us.

It is a massive 10 cm long and is one of the largest species in Australia. In the wild they come out at night, wandering the forest floor in search of other invertebrates, they have even been recorded to feed on small vertebrates including frogs and reptiles. It has only tiny eyes and instead uses its antennae to sense its way through the environment. Once prey is detected the centipede will quickly grab the prey with its many legs and inject venom into its victim.

If you are lucky you may get to see our centipede feeding on crickets or cockroaches. When hungry it can catch up multiple insects at a time and holds them along the length of its body – so it may have entrée, mains and dessert all at once!

Our Rainforest Centipede resting upon a log. Photo: Alan Henderson Source: Minibeast Wildlife

It might sound strange that many snakes have to be ‘trained’ to eat mice, but that is exactly what needs to happen with many species in captivity. This is because many young snakes are born (or hatch) with strong instincts for particular foods – their natural prey in the wild. Snakes rely heavily on their sense of smell to detect their food. Most would eat small skinks, frogs, or even fish as their first wild meals, and are usually not tempted by the smell of a baby mouse.

Teaching baby snakes to consume mice may involve several steps, and while some individuals will take to plump pink mice readily, others can be reluctant for quite some time. Sometimes scenting the mice with a hint of ‘skink essence’ is enough to entice the snake to eat, but with some individuals there is no alternative but to manually assist them to ensure their survival. After a while they begin to associate the smell of mouse with food, and will happily feed all by themselves.

All the mice used as snake food by Live Exhibits are dead, and are purchased frozen. There are several advantages to this; they do not carry parasites, they do not present physical a risk to the snakes (live mice bite), and it is a more humane method.

‘Assist feeding’ a baby Alpine Copperhead: The mouse is presented to snake so that it bites down upon it.

The snake is gently released with the mouse still in its mouth.

Instinct takes over and the snake swallows the mouse. The snake will become more accepting of smell and taste of the mouse each time it feeds like this. Photos: Claire Steel/Alan Henderson Source: Museum Victoria

In less that four months, one of the baby Giant Water Bugs that hatched in April is now mature. This species moults (sheds its exoskeleton) five times in order to develop into the adult form. The adults are equipped with wings which enable them to fly if need be to find fertile hunting and breeding grounds. This won't be required here in Live Exhibits as both food and mates are in plentiful supply!

The brand new adult Giant Water Bug floating beside the empty exoskeleton which it recently vacated. Photo: Alan Henderson Source: Museum Victoria

This mass of spiders is the newest addition the Bugs Alive! Exhibition. They are Social Huntsmen (Delena cancerides), and are one of only a handful of spider species that live communally and will at times even share their food. They are relatively common spiders throughout Victoria, and can be found sheltering together under the bark of Acacia and Eucalyptus trees. Colonies may number in the hundreds during the breeding season when many younger spiderlings are present.

Due to their mass scare value but placid nature, they were the species chosen to star in the spider horror flick ‘Arachnophobia’.

Social Huntsman spiders, now showing in Bugs Alive! Photo: Alan Henderson Source: Museum Victoria

A mass of baby Giant Water Bugs (Lethocerus insulanus) have recently hatched in our behind-the-scenes facility. These insects are largest true bugs in Australia; adults may measure up to 70mm long. This is the second time we have bred this species in captivity, and as a result we are learning a great deal about them. The female lays her eggs on a stick above the water-line, and the eggs only take ten days to hatch. When the young (nymphs) hatch, they simply drop into the water and begin life as fierce underwater predators just like their parents.

Baby Giant Water Bugs hatching from eggs just above the water. Photo: Alan Henderson Source: Museum Victoria

A hatchling perched upon the thermometer under the water. Photo: Alan Henderson Source: Museum Victoria

An adult and hatchling showing the size difference. Photo: Alan Henderson Source: Museum Victoria

Leon, the male Veiled Chameleon within the Discovery Centre's display. Photo: Alan Henderson Source: Museum Victoria

After her triumphant return to display, Leela has had some problems with utilising the branches in the Discovery Centre enclosure. It appears that she is beginning to show her age, and what was once an easy climb is now quite a task. Her issue appears to be with the width of the branches. Although she has little difficulty negotiating thinner branches which she can wrap her feet around, she now finds the wider branches hard going. We will now seek out some large 'Leela friendly' branches which hopefully will allow her to return to the Discovery Centre enclosure.

In the meantime Leon, the male Veiled Chameleon, is making his debut on display in the new Discovery Centre exhibit. He has acclimatised very well, and like his counterpart Leela, has visitors totally captivated.

Leela, Melbourne Museum's resident Veiled Chameleon, is once again back on display in the Discovery Centre. She has had a lengthy break behind the scenes after having a major operation to remove a mass of infertile eggs which were lodged in her reproductive tract.  During this time three other reptiles have had their stint in the limelight within Discovery Centre. Although Murray the python, Bigi the Black-tailed Monitor and Jacky the Jacky Dragon were popular residents, their star status just doesn't compare to 'Miss Supreme in Green'. The Discovery Centre staff were beside themselves with excitement as I wheeled the trolley in yesterday with new green plants, branches and the mega-star herself onboard.  Leela is back in excellent health, and is set to captivate visitors with her stunning appearance and unique behaviours.

Leela and her newly refurbished enclosure within Melbourne Museum's Discovery Centre Photo: Alan Henderson Source: Museum Victoria

Over the last couple of weeks staff from Live Exhibits have been subjected to a barrage of frog calls from two of the resident species being held behind the scenes. The male Growling Grass Frogs (Litoria raniformis) and Green and Golden Bell Frogs (Litoria aurea) have been calling their hearts out in an attempt to woo their respective females into a slippery embrace known as amplexus. Both species are closely related and have similar calls, which has resulted in a mix of loud continuous amphibian pleading coming from the room. So far only one male Green and Golden Bell Frog has made it into amplexus - all hinges on whether the female is ready to release eggs for him to fertilise.

The male Green and Golden Bell frog embracing a female in amplexus. Photo: Alan Henderson Source: Museum Victoria