{"id":1781,"date":"2021-08-11T08:37:06","date_gmt":"2021-08-11T14:37:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/strong-wp.cloud.fruitionqa.com\/?page_id=1781"},"modified":"2023-01-04T14:59:18","modified_gmt":"2023-01-04T19:59:18","slug":"live-collections-faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.museumofplay.org\/live-collections-faq\/","title":{"rendered":"Live Collections FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Find answers to many of the frequently asked questions about Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden<\/em> at The Strong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why do you have a butterfly garden in a history museum dedicated to the study of play?<\/summary>
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The butterfly garden and other living collections at the museum represent a type of play called \u201cnature play.\u201d This form of play can positively affect people by helping them to slow their pace and relax. With the presence of gardens and aquariums, the museum recognizes this important aspect of play.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How many butterflies are there in the garden?<\/summary>
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Though it varies day to day, there are hundreds of butterflies flying in the garden at any given time.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Can I take pictures in the garden?<\/summary>
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Of course! Taking pictures does not harm the butterflies.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How many different species of butterflies are in the garden?<\/summary>
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On average you will find 20 to 40 butterfly species flying in the garden on any given day.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What types of plants will I see in the garden?<\/summary>
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You can find many species of tropical plants in Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden<\/em>, including palms, orchids, and water plants.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What other animals call Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden<\/em> home?<\/summary>
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In addition to the butterflies, the garden is home to a green aracari, a chameleon, several Chinese button quail, goldfish, turtles, and a tortoise.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What are the little birds running around on the floor of the garden?<\/summary>
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Chinese Button Quail! The small quail are not only fun to watch, but they help to keep some of the insects in the garden under control, providing an environmentally friendly way for the museum to control pests.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How long do the butterflies live in the garden?<\/summary>
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Butterflies live, on average, about one to three weeks in the garden.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Can I watch butterflies emerge from their chrysalises?<\/summary>
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Yes! The emergence chamber has a clear glass front so you can watch as butterflies emerge from their chrysalises.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is the emergence process like?<\/summary>
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When butterflies first emerge, their wings are small and folded. To expand their wings large enough for flying, a butterfly has to hang upside-down so that blood can pump into its wings. Once the wings are fully expanded and hardened\u2014this process can take a couple of hours or more\u2014the butterfly is able to fly. When enough of the butterflies are ready to fly, the museum’s live collections team members gather them into a small cage, which is brought into the garden where the butterflies are released.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is the lifecycle of a butterfly?<\/summary>
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The butterfly is a type of insect that undergoes complete metamorphosis. This means its lifecycle has four stages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n