New Exhibit Featuring More Than 40 Species Of Amphibians Opens This Week At Shedd Aquarium
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Some excrete poison, others eat their own skin and some survive Chicago winters by literally freezing.
A new exhibit at the Shedd Aquarium highlights the wonders of amphibians, animals that date back more than 200 million years.
More than 40 species of frogs, salamanders and newts will be on display starting Saturday.
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Shedd employees have spent about two years working on the exhibit, from the concept to acquisition and display.
Not all the animals were ready for a media preview this morning, as employees said a few were still waiting on getting clearance from the Shedd's vets.
That includes the Japanese giant salamander, which is two-and-a-half feet long and weighs thirty pounds, and the strawberry frog, which is bright red with dark spots.
Many of the animals are on loan from other aquariums but some, such as the mud puppy, are from Chicago.
Chief Operating Officer Mike Delfini says this is the eighth special exhibit they've had in 20 years.
It's slated to run through 2017.
