January 2, 2006 These photos were taken at the Cockrell Butterfly Center in Houston, TX at the Museum of Natural Science. Some were taken by Rhianna and some by me, Annita. We were delighted to find not only butterflies in all their stages of growth but also such insects as walking sticks (as seen on Annita's shirt in one picture), tarantulas, ants, bees and many other insects as well as the pet of the center...an Iguana named Gandolf. Gandolf was a pet of someone on the staff and became too large to keep at home so he was donated to the center. He is quite tame and just "does his own thing" which includes "people watching". We were told that he loves to sit near the entrance and watch people entering the exhibit through the window there which is where we first encountered him today. There is also a bird in the exhibit which we are told no one knows how he got in but he is fed and taken care of and doesn't bother the insects. There is also a fairly large "Giant Waxy Monkey Treefrog" from the rainforests of South America. Now, I hope you will also enjoy these photos and I will endeaver to identify the butterflies whenever possible.
The Cockrell Butterfly Center
A Giant Waxy Monkey Treefrog found high in the rainforests canopy of South America. Unlike most treefrogs, they sit out in the hot sun all day and coat their skin with a waxy lipid exudate which they wipe over their skins with the back of their front feet. This protects them from drying out in the sun.