Chester Zoo Butterly House
- Thread starter zoogiraffe
- Start date
taun
Well-Known Member
Great news, looking forward to visiting these and comparing it to other butterfly houses I have been in.
May go next weekend now.
The butterfly house is now open. It is not huge. Obviously the vegetation will need time to settle in and make it more jungley. There are a few large butterflies in there although the numbers are not yet high as it is early days, and the usual chrysalis cabinet. Some signage is up but no signs identifying the species. It looks ok but to be honest if you have seen one butterfly house you have seen them all.
Other news (as small news has been closed): I saw a tiny Visayan piglet so I'm guessing the first female who lost her litter has had more babies. The pig/cattle house was closed for improvements but you could see them through the window.
Other news (as small news has been closed): I saw a tiny Visayan piglet so I'm guessing the first female who lost her litter has had more babies. The pig/cattle house was closed for improvements but you could see them through the window.
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taun
Well-Known Member
They were very much alive a few weeks ago, maybe he second female has now given birth, because the timing doesn't seem right.
There were originally two litters (one from each female) - one has 2 survivors, the other was lost very early. I would guess Pygathrix is referring to the latter.
Excellent news, anyway!
taun
Well-Known Member
Sorry, yes you are right
taun
Well-Known Member
That certainly make sense, plus the other piglets are in the otherside of the house
Maisie
Well-Known Member
I visited the butterfly house literally 2 hours after it had opened for the first time on 29th. It's a fair size but not enormous, with a good mix of spectacular butterflies which will be augmented when the numerous chrysalises in the hatchery become new butterflies. It is HOT in there. As soon as I got in my whole camera was covered in condensation and the lens steamed up. Photography is likely not to be possible while the weather's this cold unless you have a few hours to wait for the camera to acclimatise! Also, watch where you tread. The butterflies like to land on the dark stone walkways ... and blend in rather too well!
taun
Well-Known Member
I agree, the house is unimagitive but I believe its the best I have seen, all the others I have seen have been put together in a rush.
Just imagine what it will be like in the summer with a hundred people crowded inside!
Not seen it myself yet but so far most of the comments have been positive. Nice to see more invertebrates being added to the collection. It's such a shame that more zoos don't have more invertebrates in their collections. I know that exhibits for terrestrial inverts can be challenging but examples from throughout the zoo community show it can be done. Speaking of which, does anyone know how the Partula Snails are doing at Chester Zoo? Really looking forward to the Members Talk on these for members at Chester Zoo by Karen Entwhistle. She's been looking after them at Chester for about 5 years now, if I remember correctly and has an infectious enthusiasm about their conservation.
Butterfly House
Finally got round to visiting the new butterfly house at Chester on Saturday (27th Dec). In general I would agree with many of the comments made previously. However, what was slightly disappointing I felt was the lack of diversity in the species present. I know that this exhibit has only just opened and there may be a reason for the low number of species included, but when I asked one of the young girls present if they were going to get further species I was informed that they had got all the ones that they were going to have. Is this the case or has anyone heard any different? If it is correct then I personally feel it's a great opportunity missed and not realising the full potential of what could be a truly impressive exhibit!
Finally got round to visiting the new butterfly house at Chester on Saturday (27th Dec). In general I would agree with many of the comments made previously. However, what was slightly disappointing I felt was the lack of diversity in the species present. I know that this exhibit has only just opened and there may be a reason for the low number of species included, but when I asked one of the young girls present if they were going to get further species I was informed that they had got all the ones that they were going to have. Is this the case or has anyone heard any different? If it is correct then I personally feel it's a great opportunity missed and not realising the full potential of what could be a truly impressive exhibit!
taun
Well-Known Member
I find some just don't have a clue, you have to talk to a keeper to get up to date information
I seem to have been lucky then whenever I've asked a presenter.
They're great. The path doesn't seem very wide, if this is the case I won't be entering the building in the height of the summer season.
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The path forks when you enter the house. There is quite a narrow raised wooden bridge to the right and a standard sized path to the left.
You are right though, it will be hell during the peak months...