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Tropical House

Step inside our brand-new Tropical House!

Get up close to free-flying birds, endangered reptiles and colourful beetles.

The new forest habitat is home to 10 new species, including several linked to our conservation work around the world.

An orange-headed thrush perched on a branch
A flamboyant beetle stood on a branch
A Henkel's leaf-tailed gecko perched on a branch
An African fruit beetle perched on a leaf
A superb fruit dove perched on a thin branch
A Victorian crowned pigeon against a backdrop of greenery
A group of sun beetles on a log
A radiated tortoise stood in grass
A peacock pheasant stood on leafy ground
A Mindanao bleeding-heart dove perched on a branch
A turquoise dwarf gecko sat on a leaf
A grosbeak starling perched on a branch
A giant African flower beetle stood on a branch

Who lives here?

The Tropical House is home to six species of birds; victoria crowned pigeon, superb fruit dove, grosbeak starling, orange-headed thrush, palawan peacock pheasant and mindanao bleeding-heart dove.

In separate areas, you can see:

  • Radiated tortoise, a Critically Endangered species of tortoise. In the wild, radiated tortoises are found only in Madagascar, one of the eight countries where we work on conservation projects.

  • Turquoise dwarf gecko, a tiny, electric-blue gecko found only in Tanzania. We work with local partners in the field to protect this Critically Endangered species.

  • Henkel’s leaf-tailed gecko, an extremely well-camouflaged gecko species that mimics the leaves of the forests of Madagascar where it lives.

  • Look closely, and you’ll also spot four species of African beetle. Found in the forests of Africa, their bold patterns help them to stay camouflaged and hidden from predators.

More to do at the zoo!

An unforgettable day out

Dive in to feel-good family fun, discovering amazing animals from around the world. Get face-to-face with giraffes on the raised walkway, watch cheetahs prowl and meet lemurs in the walkthrough, with no barriers between you and the animals!

Play all day

Find plenty of places to play as you explore the zoo, including Explorers Basecamp and the much-loved Barefoot Trail — a treat for toes of any age! Tower Meadow offers acres to roam, perfect for picnics and play.

Tasty treats

Tuck into a freshly-baked pizza at Base Camp Pizzeria, or choose from a range of freshly made sandwiches, soup, pastries and cakes at the Courtyard Café. Gluten-free and vegan options are available.

A mushroom pizza on a takeaway box

Location and admission

Find us just off Junction 17 of the M5, five minutes from Cribbs Causeway. Under 2s go free!

Tropical House - Bristol Zoo Project