This is the personal blog of Herpetologist and Amphibian Conservationist Andrew Gray.
Through this blog I hope to bring you an idea of my work with reptiles and amphibians, including husbandry, research, fieldwork, and education, in the hope of sharing my experience, expertise and interest in these wonderful creatures. I am proud to work for The Manchester Museum, part of The University of Manchester, England.
‘Empty-handed but heart-filled’
Profile: Curriculum Vitae
Email: andrew.gray@manchester.ac.uk
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We have made many trips to the museum over the years and the highlight for our family is always the frogs.We feel very proud that a northwest museum is raising such environmental awareness:You are true ambassadors, please keep up the good work! Hope to be visiting again soon .
Cheers the Dean family
About the Vivarium
I will be four in 2009, just before Maharaja the elephant comes back from being cleaned.
I am a keen and frequent visitor to Manchester Museum but my favourite place is the Vivarium. I was able this week to see up close some of the lovely frogs, lizards and snakes that are in the collection and learned that some of them are shedding their skins just now.
I like to see the live creatures because they are always moving about and I have to look hard to find them, except the green python which seems always to be asleep on his branch.
Please keep this live exhibit going and if possible expand it!
Maybe some day I will be able to go to the Rain Forest and catch some frogs to bring back like Andrew.
Best wishes
Harry ( with some help from his Grandpa)
Hi Andrew
Thought you may like this post on the BBC Gardener’s World Blog
http://blog.gardenersworld.com/2010/01/26/dead-frogs/
It gives advice on how to help our local frogs survive the winter in our garden ponds.
Suzanne
Hi Suzanne, Thanks so much for the great link! I will post it up for all to see. Been so busy lately and just finished filming with National Geographic – yesterday I was in Madagascar (courtesy of blue screen
See you soon x
Hi Andrew i would just like to thank you for introducing me to the beautiful Fat Tail Gecko today i have alway been interested in reptiles snakes lizards ect…. And was absolutly thrilled to hold and learn more about the gecko. I have also been reading up on the wonderfull work you and your team do and and wish u well in continuing this. This was my 1st visit to the museum and although i found every part of it interesting a have to say the viverium was my favorote part! I will ofcourse be intouch in regards to having my own gecko! Thanks again charlotte
Hi Charlotte, you are very welcome! Great to meet you too. Look forward to seeing you again soon when you are set up for the gecko. Best wishes, Andrew
Hi Andrew
I would just like to say a massive thank you for your session you ran on the 8th June on behalf of all the pupils from The Swinton High School, we had a fantastic time and learnt loads.
We are running a summer school for all primary and secondary pupils in August and i have chosen the theme evolution so was wondering if you had and information or videos on the animals that you showed us when we came in that i could show as it definately brought the topic to life and kept everyone really engaged and interested?
Thanks again R. Pashley and all the pupils from The Swinton High School
[...] The other FFFF day we went along to Frogs and Toads at Manchester Museum. I was slightly nervous about this one as it was a Dutch film with subtitles but the FFFF team had thought of everything and had someone reading the subtitles through the film for the younger audience. The film was brilliant and the kids really enjoyed it. After a short break we had Manchester Museums resident Herpetologist Andrew Gray who had the kids enthralled with his knowledge of Frogs and Toads. He had brought in some of the museums Frogs and Toads for the children and parents to see as well a few snakes and lizards. It was fascinating stuff apart from the bit where one of the frogs jumped out of his hand and everyone jumped out of their skin (well maybe only me!). Andrew has a great blog about the Frogs and Toads so be sure to check it out! http://frogblogmanchester.wordpress.com/about/ [...]
Hi Andrew
I came to the museum yesterday with my son Jack and his friend Owen (both 9), and members of The Northwest Reptile Club.
I wanted to thank you and your colleague for a fascinating talk about the work you do-it’s great to see people so thoroughly committed to and excited by their subject.
I also wanted to thank you personally for the way in which you made both the subject and the animals themselves so accessible for the boys. They had a fantastic time and will never forget this. Its great to see them so stimulated and I hope they will go on to develop a life-long interest in, and a love of, reptiles.
To my slight surprise I also had an excellent time!Reptiles are a thrilling new discovery for me.
Hope to see you again sometime
Very best wishes and thanks
Ian Dillon (Jack and Owen say hi!)