Bugs About
If you are crazy about bugs then come check out our exhibit celebrating these creatures; Bugs About! Showcasing a range of different bugs from tarantulas and cockroaches to locusts and other insects, Bugs About is a fantastic exhibit that celebrates these amazing creepy crawlies.
The star of this area are our Tarantula, some of which have been here for over 12 years. We currently have 5 different species of tarantula all with a unique characteristics that differentiates them from one another. These species include the Chilean Rose Tarantula, Costa Rican Zebra Tarantula, Brazilian Black Tarantula, Peruvian Pink Toe Tarantula and Peruvian Striped Leg Tarantula.
If you want to see our tarantula up close then you won’t want to miss out on our daily encounter at 11:00 am each day in the Butterfly House. Scroll down for more information.
Get up close with our bugs
Come experience some of our largest and most fascinating bugs up close with our two free daily bug encounters. At 11am, head on over to our Butterfly House for an up close encounter with one of our resident tarantula, you will be surprised how fluffy they are! To see more of our Daily Encounters, click here.
Did you know…
- There are over 900 species of tarantula
- Tarantula inhabit every continent except for Antarctica and most are found in South America. There are no species of tarantula native to New Zealand.
- Tarantula species range from the size of a fingernail to the size of a dinnerplate
- Female tarantula can live up to 30 years
- Tarantulas turn on their backs to moult their exoskeletons as they grow
- Tarantulas have tiny hairs on their bodies and some species use these as a defence – the hairs are an irritant and they will kick the hairs off their abdomen with their back legs towards the source of the threat.
