Exhibits

The Living Rainforest has over 700 species of plants and animals to discover, in addition to a ‘Human Impact’ exploration space, children’s play area,  cafe and shop. 

Giant Water Lily

Amazon water lily leaves reaching up to 2.6m (8′ 6″) wide float on the pond in mid-to-late summer. The mature leaves are strong enough to support the weight of a small child. More about giant Amazon waterlilies…

Dwarf Crocodile

A West African dwarf crocodile called Courtney basks on her island, waiting for unsuspecting prey. The smallest of all crocodiles, this species stalks fish and birds, small animals such as rodents and even crabs in the wild. More about West African dwarf crocodiles…

Goeldi’s Monkeys

Goeldi’s monkeys leap from branch to branch, using their well-adapted tails for balance. Our colony of monkeys fascinate visitors with up to 40 different calls. The Goeldi’s monkeys at the Living Rainforest are part of a international breeding program for endangered animals. More about Goeldi’s monkeys…

Tropical trails

Well marked trails let you get close to the plants and animals of the rainforest. Birds, butterflies and lizards roam freely as you explore… you never know what you will see next. Some visitors are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one of our basilisk (or ‘Jesus Christ’) lizards running across the water.

Amazing plants

Food and medicine plants that have changed the way we live today, from bananas to coffee, cocoa to ginger, are waiting to be discovered. Familiar houseplants, such as the deadly dumb cane and the Swiss cheese plant, grow to giant proportions in the hot, steamy atmosphere.

Spectacular blooms

Beautiful orchids cling to the trunks of trees year-round, while metre-long turquoise flower spikes belonging to the endangered jade vine hang overhead during late Spring or early Summer.

Silent hunters

Not to be missed are the West African dwarf crocodile, emerald tree boa and insect-eating pitcher plants which lie in wait for prey. If the salmon pink bird-eating spider, jungle carpet python and imperial scorpion are just too much for some visitors, alternative routes are available!

Delicate beauty

Dazzling butterflies take to the air on sunny days, while brightly coloured African turacos and numerous other tropical birds fly freely around the rainforest. Roul-roul partridges and bronze-winged pigeons inhabit the undergrowth and are often seen venturing across the rainforest paths.