MOBILE, Ala. — Something new has hopped into downtown Mobile. The Exploreum began its new exhibit FROGS! Beyond Green June 13. The educational exhibit teaches children about unique amphibians without them realizing they are getting a science lesson.

Frogs were not the only thing hopping around at the Exploreum. Kids were bouncing around from tank to tank to observe frogs that looked much different from the typical frogs in the backyard.

The new summer line up at the Exploreum includes Earth-science programming, live animals and IMAX films focused around conservation, and they also have birthday parties that are designed to help promote science as well as learn about the environment.

Melissa Dean, science educator at the Exploreum, put the children to the challenge to see if they could find frogs in each aquarium.

“Mom, I only see seven frogs,” a child said when trying to spot all eight. “Nevermind, I found it, I found all eight.”

Dean also explained to those in attendance the differences between frogs and toads.

“All toads are actually frogs, but not all frogs are toads,” Dean said.

More than 75 amphibians and about 21 different species of frogs from around the world including Africa, Australia, Indonesia, Asia and South America are displayed in their natural environment for all to see.

The highly acclaimed Audobon Nature Institute helped develop the new FROGS! exhibit for the Exploreum.

“Just 10 years ago there were 8,200 documented species of tail-less amphibians, frogs, in existence. Now, over 3,000 species are extinct or critically endangered. For the first time in human history, we are losing entire groups of animals, not just species of animals, but genera,” Ian Hiler, director of touring exhibits for the Audubon Nature Institute, New Orleans, said.

The ability to see a frog in its natural habitat is something many do not get to witness outside of the backyard. At the exhibit one can watch frogs jump from treetop to treetop, burrow under spongy golden moss and even skim along the different types of aquatic plant life. Some aquariums were designed for dry environments and some were filled with water for those in need of an aquatic environment.

“FROGS! Beyond Green certainly presents an important, timely message, and there is no better place to share this than at the Exploreum, where learning and fun go hand and hand,” Brett Berg, Exploreum director of marketing and public relations, said.

While visiting the Exploreum one can come face to face with golden tree frogs, fire-bellied toads, African bull frog, Asian green toads, Indonesian white tree frogs, poison dart frogs and tomato frogs, just to name a few.

Visitors can learn about the different lifestyles of the frogs, anatomy, life-cycle and eating techniques. Toadzilla, the largest frog of the bunch, will also be there. Toadzilla is a Rococo toad and is native to Paraguay.

“I like everything, especially the tree frogs,” Maura Steadham, 11, said while visiting the FROGS! exhibit for her 11th birthday.

“This is where she wanted to come for her birthday,” Dawn Steadham, said when talking about her daughter’s birthday the family’s love for the Exploreum.

Because some frogs featured in the exhibit are nocturnal, meaning they are only active during the nighttime hours, the exhibit has made special accommodations to ensure visitors will be able to see the frogs while they are visible and active. Lights are turned on in the evenings and certain lamps that put off a moonlight glow allow the frogs to think its nighttime.

Sydney Bardin, 5, had a blast at the exhibit learning about frogs. When asked if she was scared of the frogs, she replied, “No, I like frogs a lot.”

The Exploreum’s new operating hours are Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday, noon until 5 p.m. The Exploreum was voted South Alabama’s No. 1 attraction, so don’t miss out on some summer fun with the family.

Birthday parties are also available at the Exploreum. A fun FROGS! theme will be fun for everyone. Those in attendance for the special theme, Fantastic Frogs Birthday, will have a good time instore. Parties take place in their exclusive FROGS! party room, which is located adjacent to the exhibit. The price for the party includes rental of the party room, a frog party favor, a gift for the birthday child, a fun activity, decorations, invitations and linens. Members of the Exploreum get a 20 percent discount on this all-inclusive package.

Don’t miss FROGS! Beyond Green at the Exploreum in downtown at 65 Government St. before it hops out of town Nov. 2.

Editor’s note: A Summer Fun series will be published each week. If you have a unique summer activity you think would make a great story, let us know! E-mail Jenny Wilkins at jwilkins@gulfcoastnewspapers.com. Look for another fun activity in next week’s paper.