MOBILE, Ala. — A medley of croaks and a chorus of calls welcomes you to the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center’s latest exhibition, FROGS! Beyond Green, which opened June 13.

FROGS! is an interactive element of the Exploreum’s summer line-up that includes live animals, earth-science programming, conservation-focused IMAX films and fun birthday themes designed to promote science literacy and inspire environmental consciousness.

Amphibians are indicators of healthy or unhealthy environments, and their populations are disappearing en masse.

“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,” said Ian Hiler, director of touring exhibits for the Audubon Nature Institute, New Orleans.

FROGS! Beyond Green was developed by the highly acclaimed institute to highlight the diversity of frogs and raise awareness of their importance as an indicator species.

“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,” said Brett Berg, Exploreum director of marketing and public relations.

Visitors will come eye to eye with live frogs from around the world in this whimsical educational exhibit set in the land of fairytales. More than 75 amphibians, approximately 21 different species of frogs from South America, Asia, Australia, even the dry climate of Africa, will be on display in naturalistic habitats, whether burrowing under gold spongy moss, skimming among aquatic plant life or hopping from tree top to tree top.

Leaping from one fun station to the next, audiences will marvel at the fascinating beauty, form and natural history of these incredible creatures.

At the interactive exhibit Adaptation Station, discover how different frog species have adapted and why they are best suited for their habitats.

In the Hop to It exhibit, compare your human jumping ability to a kangaroo hop, a puma pounce and a frog leap. Listen to frogs “talk;” learn life-cycle lingo, anatomy, parenting styles and eating habits; and meet famous frogs from past to present.

Poison dart frogs, tomato frogs, golden tree frogs and fire-bellied toads are just a few of the live amphibians that audiences can view up-close. And there’s Toadzilla. She’s the largest of the bunch, a Rococo Toad, native to Paraguay.

A few of the featured frogs are nocturnal, meaning they are active only at night. Special accommodations have been made to insure these frogs will be active and visible during the day. Bright lights are turned on in the evenings so that plants can grow and the frogs can sleep. During the day, the light in the enclosure switches to a dim “moonlight” and the frogs are awake for their “night.”

Just like Exploreum visitors, the nocturnal frogs will be active and engaged during the Exploreum’s new operating hours: Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.; and Sundays, noon until 5 p.m.

Daily demonstrations will be held in the FROGS! exhibit gallery. Visitors of all ages can participate in “Recycling Savvy,” “It’s in the Water” or “Plastics on Parade!”

Throughout the summer, primarily weekends, area conservation groups are scheduled to present programs about local environmental issues and solutions, through fun activities.

A special birthday theme, a Fantastic Frogs Birthday, is now available Sunday-Friday at noon and 2 p.m.; and Saturdays at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Fantastic Frogs Birthday parties will be held in the exclusive Frogs party room located adjacent to the exhibit.

The cost of the party is $275, which includes exhibit admission for up to 20 children and 10 adults (members’ entries are free), room rental, an activity for children to complete, a frog party favor, a gift for the birthday child as well as decorations, linens and invitations.

Members receive a 20 percent discount on this all-inclusive package. Contact the Exploreum’s special events coordinator at (251) 208- 6879 to reserve this limited-time birthday theme.

The Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center is a not-for-profit, community-owned organization created to promote science education along the Gulf Coast. Located in historic downtown Mobile, the Exploreum is the No. 1 attraction in south Alabama and the seventh most visited attraction in the state.

In addition to traveling exhibits and changing IMAX films, the Exploreum provides visitors hands-on science adventures in five permanent galleries: Minds On Hall, Hands On Hall, Wharf of Wonder, Virtual Journeys Digital Theater and the Ciba Lab — and soon, My BodyWorks, a permanent gallery devoted to human health.

For more information, visit www.exploreum.com.