Amphibians & Reptiles

New DNA Study Provides Critical Information on Conserving Rainforest Lizards

Andrea Godinez — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 16:31:06 +0000

New DNA Study Provides Critical Information on Conserving Rainforest Lizards Andrea Godinez Mon, 08/02/2021 - 09:31

Q&A with a Biological Illustrator

Timothy Kenney — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 19:04:48 +0000

Q&A with a Biological Illustrator Timothy Kenney Thu, 06/25/2020 - 12:04

Native Plant & Animal Identification

Rachel Ormiston — Fri, 01 May 2020 22:46:15 +0000

Native Plant & Animal Identification

Our Work

At the Burke, we bring together people, objects, and the stories that make them meaningful.

Learn More

Photo: Timothy Kenney/Burke Museum

Rachel Ormiston Fri, 05/01/2020 - 15:46

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For the next time you ask
"What IS that?"

Washington is home to a huge variety of native species.

Learn more about the plants and animals living in your neighborhood and around Washington state.

Photo: Burke Museum

Garter Snakes and their strange link to old timey socks

Timothy Kenney — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 18:27:40 +0000

Garter Snakes and their strange link to old timey socks Timothy Kenney Thu, 03/26/2020 - 11:27

Paleontology Inside the Glass

Cathy Morris — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 21:21:36 +0000

Paleontology Inside the Glass Cathy Morris Mon, 11/04/2019 - 13:21

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Sunday, December 8
1:30–4:30 PM

Get Tickets

Paleontology Workroom Inside the Glass

Step inside the Paleontology Collection Workroom doors to chat with research staff and volunteers working with collections.

The Paleontology Collections Workroom is located on Floor 3 of the Burke Museum. Plan your visit!

Vertebrate Paleontology

Add to Calendar 2024-09-11 21:33:05 2024-09-11 21:33:05 Paleontology Inside the Glass Burke Museum Burke Museum burweb@uw.edu America/Los_Angeles public

Photo: Dennis Wise/University of Washington

Thursday, Nov 7, 2019 - 5:00pm - Thursday, Nov 7, 2019 - 7:30pm

Biology Open Door

Cathy Morris — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 22:41:43 +0000

Biology Open Door Cathy Morris Thu, 10/17/2019 - 15:41

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Saturday & Sunday

Open Doors

Get Tickets

Included with Admission

Biology Open Door

Get closer to the daily work happening in the Burke’s visible collections storage, labs and workrooms on the weekends. Every Saturday and Sunday, the Biology Collections Workroom door is open so you can chat with staff and volunteers working with collections.

The Biology Collections Workroom is located on Floor 2 of the Burke Museum. Plan your visit!

Please note: In-person object identification is only available by prior appointment. If you have an object you would like identified, please submit a request through the Object Identification Request Form.

Photo: Andrew Waits

Every Saturday and Sunday, the Biology Collections Workroom door is open so you can chat with staff and volunteers working with collections.

Photo: Andrew Waits

Every Saturday and Sunday, the Biology Collections Workroom door is open so you can chat with staff and volunteers working with collections.

Photo: Andrew Waits

Every Saturday and Sunday, the Biology Collections Workroom door is open so you can chat with staff and volunteers working with collections.

Arachnology & Entomology

Plants & Fungi

Add to Calendar 2024-09-11 21:26:48 2024-09-11 21:26:48 Biology Open Door Burke Museum Burke Museum burweb@uw.edu America/Los_Angeles public

Photo: Andrew Waits

Thursday, Mar 5, 2020 - 1:30pm - Thursday, Mar 5, 2020 - 4:30pm

Saturday, Mar 7, 2020 - 10:30am - Saturday, Mar 7, 2020 - 1:30pm

Sunday, Mar 8, 2020 - 10:30am - Sunday, Mar 8, 2020 - 1:30pm

Amazing Life

Cathy Morris — Tue, 17 Sep 2019 06:06:19 +0000

Amazing Life

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Cathy Morris Mon, 09/16/2019 - 23:06

Life on Earth is extraordinary.

Over 8.7 million species are known to exist today, with more being discovered daily. How did this variety of life come to be, and what happens when human and natural forces change the balance of life?

Drawing on specimens from the Burke’s biology collections, Amazing Life reveals a global life-support system. Every living thing—including you—plays a role in keeping that system functioning. Discover how life has evolved across time and space, how it’s still changing today, and how it might change in the future.

Plan Your Visit

Floor 2, Biology

Photo: Andrew Waits

Discover how life has evolved across time and space, how it’s still changing today, and how it might change in the future.

Photo: Andrew Waits

Discover how life has evolved across time and space, how it’s still changing today, and how it might change in the future.

Photo: Andrew Waits

Associated Collection Term

Arachnology & Entomology

Grand Opening Day

Cathy Morris — Sat, 17 Aug 2019 00:11:26 +0000

Grand Opening Day Cathy Morris Fri, 08/16/2019 - 17:11

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Saturday, October 12
10 AM – 5 PM

Sat, 10/12/2019 - 10:00

Included with Admission

/tickets?date=2019-10-12

Grand Opening Day

Celebrate Grand Opening with singers, dancers, poets and DJs, and be among the first to see the six new galleries, 12 visible labs and workrooms, and artists’ workshop in the New Burke!

The new Burke Yard outdoor space will be transformed into a festival with multicultural music and dance performances, family-friendly activities, and food trucks. See our calendar for more Grand Opening events.

Grand Opening Weekend is also the grand opening of the new Off the Rez Café! Enjoy tasty fry bread and other Native foods in Off the Rez’s first brick-and-mortar location. Their food truck, rated one of the Top 25 Food Trucks in America by Food Network, will also be here all of opening weekend.

Not a member? A Burke Museum membership pays for itself in 3 visits. Join today!

Grand Opening Day

Schedule of Activities

Galleries

All Day

Microscope investigations, coloring, and touchable objects
Fossil rubbing and dino play
Hidden Husky Scavenger Hunt: Find the huskies to win a temporary tattoo!

Collection Activities

10 AM - 2 PM: Artist Studio Open Door with weaver Lisa Telford
10:30 AM - 1:30 PM: Archaeology Workroom Open Door
10:30 AM - 1:30 PM: Contemporary Culture Workroom Open Door
10:30 AM - 1:30 PM: Paleontology Workroom Open Door
1:30-4:30 PM: Learning Lab Inside the Glass with the Herbarium
1:30-4:30 PM: Biology Workroom Open Door

Burke Yard

Performers

10:15 AM: Songs with Chief Kitsap Academy
11 AM: Songs with Hmong Association of Washington
11:30 AM: Stories with Richard Markarstrum
12 PM: Burke Trivia
12:30 PM: Dancing with Lynette Finau and Pacific Island Students
1:30 PM: Dancing with Huraiti Mana
2 PM: Theater with Red Eagle Soaring
2:30 PM: Burke Trivia
3 PM: Dancing with Kuttu Tokia Warriors
3:30 PM: Dancing with Marshallese Dancers
4:30 PM: Karaoke

Hosts

10 AM - 2 PM: Denny Hurtado
2 PM - 5 PM: Taylor Ahana-Jamile

Carving Demonstrations

2-5 PM: Greg Robinson, Greg Archuleta, Ceara Lewis, Devon Robinson

Weaving Demonstrations

10 AM - 5 PM: Marshallese Weavers

Live Art

10 AM - 3 PM: Chalk Artist Monyee Chau
1-5 PM: Chalk Artist Gillian Duenas

Partner Stations

10 AM - 5 PM: Learn about the native plants in the New Burke landscaping with members of the Oxbow Farms & Conservation Center—the organization that cultivated over 70,000 plants from seedlings
10 AM - 5 PM: The Seattle Times
12-2 PM: Ask questions with KUOW’s SoundQ’s. (Your question may be answered on one of their future programs!)

Food Trucks

10 AM - 5 PM: Off the Rez
10 AM - 5 PM: Pecos Pit Bar-B-Que
1-5 PM: Sweet Alchemy Ice Cream

Timed Tickets

Book a timed ticket ahead of your visit:

Advance timed tickets are offered every 60 minutes throughout the day. If advance tickets are still available, they will be listed at burkemuseum.org/tickets.
Please arrive as close as possible to the entry time listed on your ticket. There is a lot to see and do at the Burke Museum, so we suggest allowing between 1 1/2 and 2 hours to make the most of your visit.
Walk up admissions may be available on a first come, first served basis as museum capacity allows.

What are salamanders?

Lindsey Burns — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 04:24:11 +0000

What are salamanders? Lindsey Burns Wed, 07/24/2019 - 21:24

What is the difference between a salamander and a lizard?

Although they do have similar body shapes and some similar features, salamanders and lizards are very different! Salamanders are a type of amphibian; they have moist skin and are usually found in damp habitats near or in water. Salamanders are closer related to frogs despite how different frogs and salamanders look. Lizards are a type of reptile; they have dry skin with scales and are purely terrestrial.

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Photo: Heidi Rockney

Northwestern Salamander.

What is a group of salamanders called?

A group of salamanders is called a herd or congress.

What is the largest salamander?

The largest salamander is the Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus). It can be up to 6 feet long! Sadly, they are endangered and very few live long enough to reach that size. Some of the factors that are influencing its population decline are loss of habitat and habitat destruction, especially with the building of dams. They are also a food source for many people and even considered a delicacy in some areas.

What is the smallest salamander?

The smallest salamander is probably Thorius arboreas, a member of the Minute salamanders. There are several salamanders in the Minute genus, all of which are really, really tiny. Thorius arboreas is found in Mexico and can be as small as 16mm!

Why are newts brightly colored?

So that predators think it’s poisonous and avoids eating it. Animals that have bright colors are often toxic! In some cases the animals might not be toxic but is copying a similar animal that is toxic (mimicry). Most newts have some kind of toxin they secrete through their skin. They also have various defensive postures to show off their bright colors so predators know to avoid eating them.

What are caecilians?

Caecilians are long slender limbless amphibians that look like a cross between a worm and a snake. They are either fully aquatic or burrow deep in the underground. New species of these secretive amphibians are being discovered all the time. Caecilians branched off from other amphibians early in their evolutionary history, losing their limbs. They range in size from 7cm to over five feet, depending on the species. They have a variety of reproductive strategies all include internal fertilization. Some actually give live birth up to 9-11 months after fertilization.

Amphibians & Reptiles of Washington

Do you know where rattlesnakes live in our state? Or which salamander breathes through its skin? Explore the fascinating diversity of the 26 species of amphibians and 28 reptiles found in Washington state.

Learn More

Photo: Heidi Rockney

Where do amphibians live?

Lindsey Burns — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 04:18:14 +0000

Where do amphibians live? Lindsey Burns Wed, 07/24/2019 - 21:18

How many amphibians are in Washington state?

There are 27 amphibians in Washington state including two introduced species. They are broken down as follows: 14 salamanders; 11 frogs and 2 toads. Explore photos and facts about the species in Washington.

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Photo: Heidi Rockney

American bullfrog.

There used to be so many frogs here when I was young, where did they all go?

Many frog populations have disappeared in Washington state. Frogs do not adapt well to changing environmental conditions. Humans have destroyed or altered many amphibian habitats by development, damn construction, agriculture and pollution. These components squeeze amphibians out of their natural environment and often there is no place for them to go and the populations die out.

Do we have non-native/invasive frogs in WA?

Yes! There are currently two nonnative amphibian species found in Washington.

The Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) was introduced in Washington state in the 1930’s for sport and game (people like to hunt and eat bullfrogs!) Their original range is the Eastern half of the United States. Unfortunately, bullfrogs have colonized many areas in Washington state with devastating effects to local amphibians and other species. Bullfrogs are the largest frog in North America and will eat anything they can catch and fit into their mouth! They outcompete local for food and they also eat many small local frogs.
The Green frog (Rana clamatins) is also an invasive amphibian in Washington state. Their natural range is in the eastern United States. They are not as widespread as the invasive bullfrog and have been seen in Whatcom, king and Stevens County. They are not as large as the bullfrog but still can have devastating effects on local amphibian species by outcompeting them for resources such as food and breeding grounds.

How did bullfrogs get to Washington state if they aren’t from here?

People brought them. Bullfrogs were introduced to Washington state in the 1930’s as a food and gaming source. Ironically, they were never used for either and instead have taken over many low elevation areas in Washington state. They breed fast (each female can lay 20,000 eggs per clutch and can breed multiple times in a year). Their tadpoles are distasteful, giving them a high rate of survival. They are fierce competitors with voracious appetites often times will wipe out native amphibian populations.

Are there any amphibians in the desert?

Yes! Amphibians are found in almost all types of environments including deserts. Because amphibians generally have moist permeable skin, it is sometimes strange to think that they could do well in hot, dry conditions. However, amphibians are very versatile and have established many adaptations to survive in such environments. Some desert toads bury themselves underground and only come out every few years when a good rain comes down to breed in temporary pools. Other frogs or toads secrete wax that they coat their skin with to protect themselves from drying out. Others are active only at night when temperatures are cool.

Do any amphibians live in salt water?

Yes, the crab-eating frog can survive in brackish water because they can hold their urine in their body to help maintain proper internal salt balance. The crab-eating frog develops in freshwater but hunts for food in mangroves, marshes and coastal scrubs throughout SE Asia. The Marine toad (also known as cane toads) was originally named Bufo marinusbecause it was thought that they lived in fresh and salt waters. This is not true, they are only found in freshwater. However, studies have shown that the tadpoles of marine toads cane live in slightly brackish water, but they are not found in brackish water in the wild.

Amphibians & Reptiles of Washington

Learn More

Photo: Heidi Rockney

Amphibians & Reptiles

New DNA Study Provides Critical Information on Conserving Rainforest Lizards

Q&A with a Biological Illustrator

Native Plant & Animal Identification

Burke Museum Mammalogy

Burke Museum Herbarium

Burke Museum Arachnology

Our Work

For the next time you ask "What IS that?"

Garter Snakes and their strange link to old timey socks

Paleontology Inside the Glass

Paleontology Workroom Inside the Glass

Biology Open Door

Biology Open Door

Amazing Life

Life on Earth is extraordinary.

Floor 2, Biology

Grand Opening Day

Grand Opening Day

Grand Opening Day

Schedule of Activities

Galleries

All Day

Collection Activities

Burke Yard

Performers

Hosts

Carving Demonstrations

Weaving Demonstrations

Live Art

Partner Stations

Food Trucks

Timed Tickets

Sponsors

Grand Opening Sponsors

New Burke Media Sponsors

What are salamanders?

What is the difference between a salamander and a lizard?

What is a group of salamanders called?

What is the largest salamander?

What is the smallest salamander?

Why are newts brightly colored?

What are caecilians?

Amphibians & Reptiles of Washington

Where do amphibians live?

How many amphibians are in Washington state?

There used to be so many frogs here when I was young, where did they all go?

Do we have non-native/invasive frogs in WA?

How did bullfrogs get to Washington state if they aren’t from here?

Are there any amphibians in the desert?

Do any amphibians live in salt water?

Amphibians & Reptiles of Washington

For the next time you ask
"What IS that?"