The Tropical House is one of the largest in the UK. Take your time to stroll through this landscaped tropical paradise.
As you follow the paths you can admire the hundreds of colourful butterflies amongst the exotic plants, shrubs and trees. These provide shelter and the nectar for the birds and butterflies & foliage for the caterpillars. There are feeding stations where you can quietly watch these beauties feeding! Take a look inside the butterflies Emerging Cabinets and if you are lucky you will witness new butterflies coming out of their pupa and drying their newly formed wings.
You might also come accross George, our African Giant Spur-thighed Tortoise, who wanders freely around the Tropical house greating visitors.
If you dare, step inside our insect house, there are many unusual creatures to see. We have Tarantulas, millipedes, various species of stick insects and scorpions. As you walk around the Tropical garden you will find our displays of amphibians and reptiles. We have our “cool” Caiman (cousin of the crocodile), some Iguanas, Water Dragons, Bearded Dragons, toads, Caiman frogs, and many snakes including our new Boa Constrictor. If you notice movement in the aquatic areas these are the terrapins, who share the pools with the fish.
At certain times, displayed on the board outside the gift shop, there are opportunities to “meet the invertebrates”. If you go to the Tropical Gardens at these times it is possible to meet the zoologist and handle the snakes, lizards and spiders. This is totally supervised and is not just for children but also for adults. If you want to overcome your fears now is the time to see if you can.
