Text & layout:
Rune Midtgaard
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29. juli 2010:
Sidewinder youngs...
Early in the morning of July 29th, we found that one of our rattlesnakes had given birth to five babies during the night.
The animals belong to the species called Sidewinder, and the offspring look like miniature versions of their parents.
They measure about 10 cm and weigh only 7 gram (see the size compared to a ten kroner coin in the photo to the right).
Already now, they can be seen together with their parents by our guests.
It is the first time we succeed in breeding this species of rattlesnake in Terrarium Vissenbjerg.
Initially, we are going to keep the youngs, but at some later point, when they have reached a larger size, they will be offered to other zoos.
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Summer 2010:
Lots of activities...
Every day during the summer, Terrariet offers an exciting choice of activities, where you can join the zoo keeper at feeding time, learn amazing things about reptiles at our presentations, watch the training of our beautiful monitor lizards, and maybe even touch a live snake - if you dare!! Check the daily activities below:
It is also possible to borrow a GPS unit and let yourself be guided through the beautiful, surrounding landscapes. Please inquire at the ticket counter for more details.
Looking forward to see you...
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Easter 2010:
Eggs, eggs, eggs...
All days during Easter (29/3-5/4) you can challenge your own creativity when we offer a chance to drain eggs and decorate them in beautiful colours.
At 10.30 a.m., 1.30 p.m. and 3.30 p.m., our zoologist tells real egg stories from the "egg-ceptional" lives of reptiles and amphibians.
At 11.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. there is presentations of selected animals. If you have the courage, you can get close when the animal keeper tells you about the animals.
Open daily 10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
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Autumn holiday 2009:
Dissection of snakes...
...is among the activities you can participate in during both of the two autumn holiday weeks in Terrariet (Monday, Oct. 5th to Sunday, Oct. 19th., incl. weekends). Here you will get a rare opportunity to learn about snake anatomy.
During these two weeks, the daily opening hours are from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
As always during school holidays, animal presentations take place at 11.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. every day. Moreover, you can "quizz about creepy crawlies". Gather letters and use them to form names of some of our animals. It requires skill, keen eyes, and imagination. There will be a draw of prizes among the submitted correct answers.
Dissection of snakes take place:
We. Oct. 7th, at 3.00 p.m.
Th. Oct. 8th, at 1.00 p.m.
Tu. Oct. 13th, at 1.00 p.m.
Th. Oct. 15th, at 1.00 p.m.
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Summer/Autumn 2009:
Rare turtle hatchings...
Twice this year we have succeeded in breeding rare turtles here in Terrarium Vissenbjerg. Earlier in 2009 a couple of Indo-Chinese Box Turtles hatched; a species that has almost vanished from the wild. Subsequently, some Matamata Turtles hatched in September (right).
The tiny turtles are very delicate and will not be brought on display until a little older. Meanwhile, you can watch some photos of the young turtles by using the links below which lead to the portraits and galleries.
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June 2009:
Opening of a new, large exhibit...
Terrariet just opened a new, large exhibit, called "The Island Realm", with animals from the Australasian Archipelago. The World's islands are often home to unique species found nowhere else on the our planet, because they have had the opportunity to develop in a different lineage than their closest relatives on the mainland. The species on display in Terrariet are Mindanao Water Monitors (right), Savu Pythons, Solomon Islands Giant Skinks, and Pig-nosed Turtles.
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Easter, April 2009:
Joyful recurrence...
People with a good memory (and who have lived long enough) may remember that among the animals on display at the opening of Terrariet in 1973 was a group of South African Giant Girdled Lizards. Bearing this in mind, it is understandable that these unique creatures have a special place in our hearts here at the zoo. After quite many years during which this species was not found among our animals, it is a special pleasure to be able to present a newly arrived group to our guests.
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October 2008:
Venomous animals in the medicine cupboard...
Reptiles, amphibians, spiders, and scorpions make many people shiver. These animals are associated with poison, death, and disease, but this is only half the story. The toxins of venomous and poisonous animals are also of benefit to humans: Today, potentially dangerous animals indirectly help saving people in surgery and people suffering from diabetes, to fight resistant bacteria, and to protect against mosquito bites. In the near future, animal toxins may even become important in curing diseases like cancer and HIV. During the Autumn holiday, Terrariet will focus on how nature's most dangerous creatures are used in the battle against diseases.
Terrariet's biologist will educate and entertain at the education centre from Monday to Friday at half past noon and at 3.30 p.m.
As usual during school holidays, selected animals will also be presented every day at 11.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m.
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July 2008:
"Flying" snakes in Terrariet...
Well, "flying" may be an exaggeration, but the unique Baron's Green Racer does have the ability to glide through the air, at least for short distances. By throwing itself out in the air and flattening its body, the snake is able to glide from one tree to another without descending to the ground. Space conditions in captivity does not allow this behaviour to be observed, though, but the snake is unusual in other ways as well, for instance because of their pointed snouts. The species is a newcomer to Terrariet and can be seen now by our guests.
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Easter, March 2008:
The frogs are calling...but how much longer?
The world's frogs and toads are threatened with extinction. Global warming, habitat destruction and a mysterious fungal disease have already wiped out more than hundred species, and many more are in danger. Because of this, Terrariet will be focusing on amphibians during Easter. Join us and see some of the most beautiful and unique species. Listen to our staff telling about these amazing animals and their fascinating natural history and find out what is being done to save them.
The stories are told every day during Easter at 12.00 noon, 1.00 pm, 3.00 pm, and 4.00 pm (during Easter we close at 4.30 pm, although ticket sale stops at 4.00 pm). In addition to this, our usual presentations take place at 11.00 am and 2.00 pm.
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August 2007:
The 2007 poster
In 2007 we introduced a poster which will appear in a new version every year from now on. The poster can be downloaded from this website in proportions large enough to be printed out in A3 format.
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July 2007:
Venomous family expansion...
On July 25th, one of our rattlesnakes gave birth to 10 healthy youngs. Even though they are not much thicker than a pencil, their venom fangs are fully functional, and their venom just as potent as that of their parents, although smaller in quantity. The youngs will be on display for another week or so, until taken away from their parents in early August.
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Easter, April 2007:
Insects ... yum-yum!
Well, if you don't believe us, try yourself when fried grasshoppers and other culinary insect specialities are served every day during the Easter holidays at 2 p.m. It is not without reason that many animals in the wild sustain themselves on a diet consisting entirely of insects, because this food happens to be very nutritious. In many parts of the world, particularly in the tropics, insects are considered a delicatesse also by humans, and they are sold from street vendors.
If you do not wish to challenge your taste buds in this way, you are welcome just to observe some of the many other kinds of insects that are displayed in Terrariet by members of the association Eksotiske Insekter ("Exotic Insects"). The creature to the right, a mantis from Africa and the Middle East, belongs to one of the members and is therefore not found on the menu. The mantis itself, by the way, is also an insect eater. Please notice that the insect exhibition only takes place during Easter.
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December 2006:
Fascinating, mysterious frogs...
Terrariet's visitors can now observe the strange Tonkin Bug-eyed Frog in a new exhibit, which was only recently opened to the public (and to the frogs). Here the frogs co-exist with some of our other South East Asian amphibians, the Common Tree Toads. The exhibit has been constructed to recreate the climate and surroundings of the frogs' natural habitat as well as possible. We thereby hope to be able to trigger the mating of the frogs. The exhibit contains a small water course and a mist generator.
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August 2006:
The Eyelash Palm Pitviper gives birth...
TERRARIET's female Eyelash Palm Pitviper gave birth to twelve babies on August 10th. The babies often stay near their mother during the first time, but they are able to manage on their own right from the beginning. The babies measure 16-21 cm and possess a venom which already at birth is as toxic as that of their parents. Accordingly, they must be handled with caution, although they are not regarded as quite as dangerous as the adults, whose venom glands obviously are larger and capable of producing larger quantities of venom.
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August 2006:
The Surinam Toad lays eggs...
On August 2nd, one of TERRARIET's Surinam Toads laid 93 eggs. These toads have one of the most fascinating ways of reproducing known among amphibians. During the mating, the toads perform a swimming ritual which makes the eggs land on the female's back where they stick. During the next week or so, the eggs become absorbed in the female's back skin which thickens to protect the eggs. During the development of the eggs, which usually takes 3-4 months, the eggs are almost entirely hidden under the female's back skin. The tadpoles develop completely in this position so that the next visible event to happen is when the fully developed, little miniature toads make their way out of their mother's back. Incredible, but true!
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July 2006:
New pedagogical centre...
On July 3rd, TERRARIET's new pedagogical centre was opened. The centre was established on the basis of a generous donation from the now closed down kindergarden Fredensbo in Vissenbjerg. The purpose of the new centre is to create a better teaching and experiencing environment for schools, kindergardens, etc. visiting TERRARIET.
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April 2006:
Climbing toads...
Starting at Easter our guests will be able to enjoy our new, unusual amphibian, the Common Tree Toad from the rainforests of Southeast Asia. As its name implies, it lives high above the ground, which is unusual for toads, which are normally terrestrial. The yellow dots on the toad to the right shows that it is a female. In tree toads, the females are larger than males.
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December 2005:
Rare iguanas in TERRARIET...
TERRARIET now has the pleasure of presenting the endangered Rhinoceros Iguana from the West Indies to our visitors. The Rhinoceros Iguana is among the largest iguanas in the world - it may attain a length of more than 1 m. Our two new residents are almost 3 years old, but not fully grown, although quite big already. They were bred in Chester Zoo in England.
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October 2005:
Baby caimans "cheat" the staff...
As a bit of a surprise to the staff, the reproductive efforts of our Smooth-fronted Caimans managed to bear fruit. We were close to giving up hope, because most of the embryos in the eggs placed in the incubator died halfway through the incubation period. But on October 6th, a tiny caiman turned up in its parents enclosure. Apparently a few eggs were left unnoticed when the rest were transferred to the incubator, and one of these eggs was the first to hatch. Later, one of the eggs in the incubator also hatched, so that our visitors now can see two babies on display. Last year the female also laid eggs, but none hatched, so this is the first time we have youngs. 19 eggs were laid - plus the ones the caimans had hidden for us!
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October 2005:
The Spider Tortoise does it again...
On October 18th, one of our Spider Tortoises laid an egg again. In about nine months (the time it takes for the egg to hatch) we will know whether the success from 2003 when two young hatched will be repeated (see below).
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July 2005:
Latin American expansion...
In early July, two exhibits were opened to the public again after having been re-built to contain Latin American ecosystems. In the exhibits, which contain both aquatic and terrestrial environments, animals like green basilisks, matamata turtles, and garden tree boas are displayed.
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June 2004:
Sensational family expansion...
On June 21st, the long awaited hatching of the eggs laid by our Common Spider Tortoises in August and September last year finally occurred (see below). The eggs had been incubating for 307 and 279 days, respectively. The hatchlings have different mothers (each female lays only one egg at a time), but possibly the same father. The Common Spider Tortoise from Madagascar is declining rapidly throughout its distribution and the total zoo population counts a mere 147 individuals worldwide. Only about 20 tortoises have been bred in captivity.
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May 2004:
Babies of the Veiled Chameleons...
A handful of tiny Veiled Chameleons saw the light of the day in TERRARIET in late May. The eggs had been kept in an incubator for about six months, and the youngs are ready to meet life's challenges from day one without any help from their parents. It will take a while, though, before the 3-4 cm large babies reach adult size, which may be as much as 62 cm! The babies are already at display in TERRARIET, along with their parents.
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August 2003:
The Spider Tortoise lays an egg...
On August 23rd, one of TERRARIET's Spider Tortoises laid an egg. As normal for the species, the female only laid a single egg, which is very large compared with the size of the female, as can clearly be seen on the photo and the x-ray to the right.
The egg will be incubating for approximately 9 months, so unfortunately it will take a while until the next generation will be on view in TERRARIET.
The Spider Tortoise is only found on Madagascar.
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June 2003:
The world's flattest toad...
In June 2003 TERRARIET once again obtained a small group of Surinam Toads, which are now displayed in our exhibition. Apart from being remarkably flat, the breeding biology of the Surinam Toad is unique, too. When the female lays eggs they are absorbed in the skin of her back in which the tadpoles develop in each their own "cell". They stay in the skin of their mother's back until they are able to leave as tiny miniature copies of their parents. The Surinam Toad is distributed throughout tropical South America.
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December 2002:
Giant Skink babies...
In December 2002 we had the pleasure of welcoming no less than three new Solomon Islands Giant Skink babies. As it can be seen in the picture, the babies are fairly large - and not without reason - the Solomon Islands Giant Skink is the world's largest skink species.
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Get real close...
On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays at 11:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M. you can get real close to some of our animals when one of the zoo keepers presents selected animals to our visitors. It varies from time to time which animals that are presented, but there is always an opportunity to touch a live snake, entirely on your (and the animal's) conditions, of course! Our mission is not to scare or make fun of our visitors, but simply to spread knowledge about the fascinating world of reptiles and amphibians, making sure that neither animals nor visitors suffer any stress. The talks are in Danish, but the keeper will answer questions in English.
Special presentations or guided tours in English can be arranged by appointment (see "Opening hours, entries, and roadmap"). |
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