Rainforests of the World
Step inside a living 4-story rainforest, where dripping water sets the beat for a symphony of croaking frogs and chirping birds. Meet chameleons from Madagascar, climb into the tree-tops of Costa Rica to find free-flying birds and butterflies. Finally, descend in a glass elevator into the Amazonian flooded forest, where an acrylic tunnel allows you to walk beneath the catfish and arapaima that swim overhead.
About the Dome
 | The rainforest is contained within a spectacular 90-foot diameter glass dome. It's the largest spherical rainforest exhibit in the world. Follow a spiraling path up through the exhibit, experience what it's like to actually walk in a real rainforest. Temperatures are maintained at 82-85 degrees Fahrenheit, and humidity is maintained at 75% or above using a unique misting system. |
Animals of the Rainforest
 | The rainforest is teeming with 1,600 live animals - including 250 free-flying birds and butterflies, 100 exotic reptiles and amphibians. There's also 100,000 gallon "Flooded Forest" tank, where hundreds of tropical freshwater fish cruise overhead. Each level represents a different rainforest around the world - Borneo, Madagascar, Costa Rica and the Amazon. Each level represents a distinct rainforest habitat containing its own special zoological garden. |
Tropical Plants
 | Eighty skylights in the roof, supplemented with metal halide lights, enable the growth of lush, tropical plants found in various rainforests around the world. Living plants include numerous trees - such as the Brazilian beautyleaf and West Indies mahogany, dozens of shrubs - including Theobrama cacao, the plant from which chocolate is made, and hundreds of flowering plants - from begonias and philodendrons to orchids and bromeliads. |
Purchase Online |
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Hours |
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The rainforest exhibit opens at 10:00 am every day.
Thank you for following all posted warnings against photography at selected exhibits. These rules are important to maintain the health of our animals.
Rainforest Blog |
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Academy biologists share the inside scoop on new babies, specimens, and more. Learn more
Explore Science |
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- Rainforests once covered 14% of the Earth's land surface. Now they cover less than 6%. Learn more.
- Meet Dr. Brian Fisher and his pioneering work in Madagascar. He's just one of the Academy's very own Science Heroes.
- Follow ongoing Academy research taking place in Sao Tome and Principe. Visit the Gulf of Guinea blog.
Location |
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It's hard to miss a 4-story rainforest encased in a glass sphere but just in case...
