Butterfly Pavilion’s Limited-Time Exhibition “Spiders Around the World” Returns

Just in time for the spooky season, Butterfly Pavilion will transform the zoo into a captivating spider wonderland with the limited-time exhibition, “Spiders Around the World,” from September 21 – October 31.

Dozens of fascinating and colorful spider species will be featured throughout the facility, showcasing their beauty, complexity, and importance to our ecosystem.  Throughout the facility, guests will encounter large spider web decor, creating a fully immersive experience. Activities taking place during normal business hours are included with general admission tickets. Pricing for other programs and events varies.

Ambassador animals Rosie and Goldie will be joined by 20 different tarantula species from across Colorado, the Americas, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Oceania. Visitors will be captivated by the stories behind each spider and how these creatures have inspired pop culture and art throughout history.

Visitors will delight in seeing adorable spiderlings from four distinct tarantula species. The Antilles Pinktoe Tarantula (Caribena versicolor), featured in the nursery, is bred and born in Butterfly Pavilion’s laboratory. These efforts are part of the Safety Web of Arthropod Reproduction and Management (SWARM) program, led by Butterfly Pavilion and sanctioned by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Butterly Pavillon’s large collection of tarantulas allows our experts to communicate with other zoos about breeding, husbandry, welfare, and conservation of these important species.

Filled with hundreds of free-roaming orb-weaving spiders, the Spider Zone enclosure spans 80 feet, occupying a third of the Wings of the Tropics butterfly conservatory.  Guests walk freely among the spiders, with no barriers, getting up close to them and their intricate webs.

NOTABLE EXHIBITION EVENTS INCLUDE:

Bug-A-Boo at Butterfly Pavilion has become an annual tradition, especially for families with toddlers who are seeking a new and hassle-free way to enjoy the holiday. Sponsored by FirstBank, kids can fill their bags with treats at candy and toy stations throughout the zoo. The facility is easily walked by kids of all ages and offers parents an ideal opportunity to combine Trick-or-Treating with an educational experience.

Guests can experience Butterfly Pavilion with a one-of-a-kind, after-hours, guided flashlight tour through four indoor exhibit areas featuring diverse invertebrates at every corner.

Beyond the allure of the Spiders Around the World exhibition, Butterfly Pavilion has been at the forefront of tarantula research and conservation efforts since 2010, working globally to protect and conserve various tarantula species. Many tarantula species face threats stemming from habitat destruction and exploitation for the pet trade. The urgency of protecting these remarkable creatures has never been greater.

Butterfly Pavilion collaborates with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to understand the movements of tarantulas (especially males during the mating season) across roadways to explore methods for mitigating impacts from vehicular collisions, as the so-called “mate-gration” has become a popular tourist destination.

By supporting activations like this exhibition and featured events, attendees are contributing to these crucial conservation endeavors.

To learn more about Butterfly Pavilion’s efforts or purchase tickets, visit: www.Butterflies.org/SpidersAroundTheWorld