Adrift

Did you know? The Marañón poison frog (Excidobates mysteriosus) is often found in or near bromeliad flowers. The bromeliads offer shelter and provide it with water, which pools in its petals! The frog also uses bromeliads as a place to lay its eggs. Known for its unique call, which has been described as a rattle-like buzz, this species lives in a small region in northwestern Peru, where it inhabits montane forests. The roughly 1-in- (2.5-cm-) long frog is endangered and faces threats posed by habitat destruction and smuggling for the pet trade.

Meet one of the largest insects on the planet: the Atlas moth (Attacus atlas)! With a wingspan that can reach 10.6 in (27 cm), this giant can be found in parts of Asia including China, India, and Indonesia. As a caterpillar, the Atlas moth spends nearly every moment eating… but as an adult, it cannot feed because it has a non-functioning mouthpart—resulting in a lifespan of only up to two weeks. Did you know? You can spot this species up close in the Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium in the Museum's Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation!