Insect House: Spineless marvels
Sometimes, the littlest things have the biggest impact. That’s the philosophy behind the Insect House. Just down the path from the Petting Paddock, it’s an area abuzz with wonder!
Whoosh—automatic doors slide open, and you step into a different world. Terrariums set into the walls showcase stick insects, leafcutter ants, roaches, beetles, scorpions, and spiders, giving you a rare opportunity to marvel at the planet’s spineless wonders. There is even a bee hive, enclosed in glass so you can watch the busy bees in action. You might be amazed to discover how much happens inside the hive! A clear tube allows the bees to leave the hive—and the insect house—to gather nectar and pollen from the bountiful blossoms in San Diego. Part of the wall around the outer opening is painted bright yellow to aid the bees in finding the entrance as they return home.
This is not a place to zip through. Slow down to a crawl, and gaze long and deep into each habitat. Chances are the longer you look, the more you’ll see. Temperature and humidity are monitored and adjusted to suit each individual species’ preferences. Full-spectrum lights illuminate each terrarium, providing the animals with the same range of light waves they would get naturally from the sun.
The Zoo’s insect house is a great place to appreciate the little things in life. Creatures that you might never see—or purposely avoid—elsewhere are safely presented for your amazement. Take a moment to enjoy and understand these creatures. There is definitely a great deal more to them than meets the eye!
