Create an Exhibit Shining New Light on Common Species

Amphibiman

Well-Known Member
5+ year member
I figured this may be a little bit of a challenge. I read somewhere about a zoo wanting to build a new exhibit and they couldn't do anything like elephants or the like, so they decided to go with the common bullfrog. They built an entire exhibit around the North American bullfrog, with different species, wetlands exhibits and the like. Each tying into the story of the bullfrog.

The purpose of this exercise is that, if you are interested, I give you a common animal and you must build an interactive and engaging exhibit complex around that species. You can have other species, gift shops, food vendors, educational areas...whatever you like. The main focus MUST be on the common species and allow the visitor to be able to get a newfound appreciation for it.
 
The Opossum Forest

You walk into a small forest. The sun shines through tall trees and the air smells of dew and pine needles. In the middle of this forest is a large rustic log cabin. Next to the cabin you see a dumpster. As you get closer you notice a glass panel on the dumpster. You look through it and see a Virginia Opossum sleeping in a pile of straw. Signs on the dumpster explain that opossums love trash and that they often come in conflict with humans. After leaving the dumpster you go into the moss covered cabin. As soon as you walk in you are in a room covered with information about opossums. The room is themed around a research hut. In one corner is a tank containing Diamondback Rattlesnakes, with signs around it explaining that opossums to not get harmed by snake bites. On one wall are huge glass panels looking into a small fenced of section of the forest with added climbing structures. In here is the outdoor yard for the opossums. After watching a mother opossum play with her babies, you follow another trail out of the woods. Along the trail to run into the Opossum Critical Care Hospital. This hospital rescues injured opossums, rehabilitates them, and then releases them back into the wild. Before leaving the Opossum Forest to come to a small clearing full of interactive activities explaining why opossums are misunderstood, what is happing to them, and what we can do to save them. And on that note, the Opossum Forest ends.
 
The Opossum Forest

You walk into a small forest. The sun shines through tall trees and the air smells of dew and pine needles. In the middle of this forest is a large rustic log cabin. Next to the cabin you see a dumpster. As you get closer you notice a glass panel on the dumpster. You look through it and see a Virginia Opossum sleeping in a pile of straw. Signs on the dumpster explain that opossums love trash and that they often come in conflict with humans. After leaving the dumpster you go into the moss covered cabin. As soon as you walk in you are in a room covered with information about opossums. The room is themed around a research hut. In one corner is a tank containing Diamondback Rattlesnakes, with signs around it explaining that opossums to not get harmed by snake bites. On one wall are huge glass panels looking into a small fenced of section of the forest with added climbing structures. In here is the outdoor yard for the opossums. After watching a mother opossum play with her babies, you follow another trail out of the woods. Along the trail to run into the Opossum Critical Care Hospital. This hospital rescues injured opossums, rehabilitates them, and then releases them back into the wild. Before leaving the Opossum Forest to come to a small clearing full of interactive activities explaining why opossums are misunderstood, what is happing to them, and what we can do to save them. And on that note, the Opossum Forest ends.

I really love this! Fantastic job! This sounds like a real interesting exhibit that I would love to go to. I like how you incorporated the diamondback rattlesnakes and how the Virginia opossum has a natural immunity. The opening of the opossum in the dumpster is both hilarious and engaging. A great way to begin the adventure for this species!
 
I really love this! Fantastic job! This sounds like a real interesting exhibit that I would love to go to. I like how you incorporated the diamondback rattlesnakes and how the Virginia opossum has a natural immunity. The opening of the opossum in the dumpster is both hilarious and engaging. A great way to begin the adventure for this species!
Thank you!:)
 
Crow Gardens

Appearance: Garden fields creating a “bend” of greenery and a pathway into the central building. Theme of the building is a large black house, similar to ones seen in the 13th century. Outdoor exhibits for our species contains an aviary on one side of the garden. The other side is a education facility and off-display habitat. The inside habitat is a tall circular glass area that you walk around. Around the exhibit, you can find facts about crows, how they are represented in modern day culture and historic times, and conservation for the species. Exhibits include lush bushes, rivers, logs, trees, ponds and flowers.
Species:
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus)
White-Footed Mouse (Peromyscus leucopus)
 
Crow Gardens

Appearance: Garden fields creating a “bend” of greenery and a pathway into the central building. Theme of the building is a large black house, similar to ones seen in the 13th century. Outdoor exhibits for our species contains an aviary on one side of the garden. The other side is a education facility and off-display habitat. The inside habitat is a tall circular glass area that you walk around. Around the exhibit, you can find facts about crows, how they are represented in modern day culture and historic times, and conservation for the species. Exhibits include lush bushes, rivers, logs, trees, ponds and flowers.
Species:
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus)
White-Footed Mouse (Peromyscus leucopus)

I love the imagery that this exhibit has. Especially with the inclusion of the building to house the educational information. Good job!
 
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