RACINE -- The Racine Zoo is excited to announce the addition of new animals to the Benstead Discovery Center, located near the main entrance of the Zoo, to highlight unique, creepy, crawly, and misunderstood animals of the world.
New exhibits within the Benstead Discovery Center include a Western fox snake, an anaconda, a rhinoceros iguana, and a Caledonian giant gecko.
According to a press release, a second new exhibit showcases a colony of 11 straw-colored fruit bats. Although bats are a nocturnal species, the exhibit features a reverse lighting system so the animals can remain active during the day, making it easier for guests to observe them.
“The Benstead Discovery Center is a really unique collection of reptiles, fish, and smaller mammals,” said Beth Heidorn, Executive Director of the Racine Zoo. “It’s important to note that scaly, slimy, and strange animals can be just as amazing as the cute and furry ones! We hope that once guests begin to learn about these fantastic creatures, they will love them as much as we do.”
The new exhibits compliment the building’s collection of existing animals including a salt-water aquarium plus many other amphibians and reptiles such as grey tree frogs, red-eyed tree frogs, box turtles, tarantulas, and more.
Additionally, Miranda, the Zoo’s resident white umbrella cockatoo, is enjoying a brand new exhibit just across from Benstead Discovery Center. Guests visiting Miranda may be serenaded with one of her favorite tunes.