bog type setup

geckolord1 · #1 04-28-2011, 10:41 AM

hello all, for a school science project im doing a bog like setup with a tree frog maybe a newt or salamander and some worms and crickets. (im just using the school project as an excuse to get another pet lol) so anyways its gonna be a 20 gal. its gonna have some ferns violets and a pitcher plant nothing fancy. no background propably a little pool in the middle. so what do you all think?

MartinM · #2 04-28-2011, 01:06 PM

Well, a terrarium is fun, but what's the science part of it? Are you going to be making and recording specific observations? Studying the behavior of the animals, or the growth of the plants? Will you be doing any experiments? Testing any hypotheses? Without knowing these things, it's hard to respond to "what do you think?".

Martin

geckolord1 · #3 04-28-2011, 05:18 PM

im gonna be studying how they react if i remove on creature and when i said that i mean do you think they wont kill each other

MartinM · #4 04-28-2011, 05:51 PM

If I understand you correctly, you want to study aggression in the animals. Do you mean aggression between individuals of the same species (i.e., intraspecific aggression) or aggression between individuals of different species (i.e., interspecifc aggression)?

Either way, you'll have to do some research to see what animals would be appropriate for your study. Some species are naturally more aggressive than others, so if you picked one that was non-aggressive, you wouldn't get much action. (Siamese fighting fishes are famous for their aggression, and a lot of research has been done with them for this reason.)

Also, you'll have to try to figure out what causes the aggression, for instance, competition for space (territoriality), competition for food, competition for mates, etc. If you know what causes the aggression, then you can manipulate it as an experimental variable. For example, if it is competition for food, you could see how one vs. two food sources affected it, if at all.

Additionally, you'll want a way to quantify the amount of aggression. What if they do it at night, when you can't see them? (Makes me think you shouldn't work with nocturnal species.)

It seems like it could be an interesting project, and you could learn a lot from it and impress your teacher and friends.

Martin

geckolord1 · #5 04-28-2011, 09:11 PM

sorry im horrible at being specific i want to see which animals make which impact on the mini envoronment

bugsike · #6 04-28-2011, 10:54 PM

Depending on your level in science class, you might look at other options as well.

We're just finishing up a native species bog palu. that showcases Michigan bog resident plants and animals. The "study" or science portion is in going out to the bogs and observing what is there. We have 2 spring peepers (Psuedachris crucifer) and a red back salamander (Plethodon cinereus), and now we're looking for some fish for the aquatic portion. We also need some snails and insects.

NC hac several different unique wetland ecosystem types - I bet any one would be fun. Just make sure you have permission to collect specimens and you know what endangered etc.

geckolord1 · #7 04-29-2011, 09:58 AM

ok thank you i actually have a bog like forest in my backyard. oh and also its not going to be too complicated since im in 6th grade lol

bugsike · #8 04-29-2011, 10:56 AM

You make a list of each plant and animal species you put in and what it's role in the ecosystems is. If you can't catch any frogs or salamanders, you can probably buy some species that are native to your area, but that's not as fun.
Spring peepers are interesting, they can change colors as well as chameleons, and I believe they're native to your area. I've attached a picture - can you see both of them?
I just started a thread (Michigan Bog) with my palu, check out my pictures and feel free to ask me for help any time!

bugsike · #9 04-29-2011, 11:02 AM

You make a list of each plant and animal species you put in and what it's role in the ecosystems is. If you can't catch any frogs or salamanders, you can probably buy some species that are native to your area, but that's not as fun.
Spring peepers are interesting, they can change colors as well as chameleons, and I believe they're native to your area. I've attached a picture - can you see both of them?
I just started a thread (Michigan Bog) with my palu, check out my pictures and feel free to ask me for help any time!

geckolord1 · #10 04-29-2011, 11:40 AM

yes i can see them i would like to get some of those! ive only found one in all my life :/ theyre pretty rare here in my backyard i can hear em at night though