Museum of Living Art - Major Exhibits

New Herpetarium for reptiles and amphibians

Gharial
Upon entering the Museum of Living Art, guests will be greeted by the striking gharial exhibit. Overflowing with dynamic creatures, the thriving backdrop includes beautiful sand and trickling streams. Inhabiting this space will be true testaments to conservation, gharial crocodiles, which are one of the most endangered species on Earth and some of nature's most unique specimens due to their elongated snouts. The habitat will make use of sandy beaches, perfect for basking and egg-laying, and deep blue crystal waters, filled with turtles and fish.

Komodo Kingdom
A kingdom of gargantuan proportions, the Komodo Kingdom includes both indoor and outdoor viewing and two off-exhibit holding areas. A perfect breeding environment will be created for the dragons through the use of a dirt bank, ideal for digging and laying eggs. A pool fit for royalty will complete the exhibit, so that the dragons can bask in the sunlight or enjoy the trickling stream. Heated areas will extend the animals' stay outdoors, creating a longer season for the heat-loving creatures from Indonesia.

Giant Tortoises
Aldabra tortoises — back by popular demand! Nature is the artist for this outdoor exhibit yard, housing the second largest land turtle in the world. Known for their longevity, these high-domed shelled creatures can easily live to be 100-years-old, but are still threatened with extinction. Averaging in at a hefty 350 pounds, these five tortoises will certainly enjoy their 4,500-square-foot exhibit space.

Saltwater Crocodile
This "oceanfront" exhibit will house a new edition to the Zoo collection, an enormous saltwater crocodile. The fluid movements and dynamic appearance of the croc is the first thing guests will see as they enter the Museum of Living Art. From the food court, guests will view this magnificent creature from underwater. Measuring more than 10 feet long, this animal's spectacular exhibit with multiple viewpoints will surely be a crowd pleaser!

Snakeskin Art
MOLA is replete with abstract art and sheltered luminously by a snakeskin ceiling. This "sky skin," consisting of open mesh and scales, will provide unique shade in the daylight and then a radiant myriad of highlights for evening events.

Discovery Zone
Lions, and tigers and giant salamanders — oh my! Guests come face-to-face with the largest aquatic amphibian on earth, weighing in at nearly 100 pounds! Eye level with a child, the salamander tank will jut into the discovery room and double as a counter for keeper interaction. Everyone can discover and uncover the truths about alternative energies and use all five senses to explore renewable resources such as cork and bamboo. A nursery filled with hatchlings and tadpoles will emphasize the importance of conservation.

Nursery/Interpretive Area
Guests can visit one-on-one with the Zoo's experts. Bursting with interactive tools, open encounter areas will allow zookeepers daily Q&A time with the public, during which wildlife and conservation awareness are key. The nursery will be filled with hatchlings and tadpoles to emphasize the importance of breeding endangered species. Guests will examine up close the rearing methods of Zoo animals.

Tropical Trail
Voyaging along the water's edge, guests will witness the rarest of the rare — Asian turtles showcased under points of light. The open exhibitry will house critically endangered species such as Chinese three-striped box turtles, spotted pond turtles, Annam leaf turtles and Sailfin dragons, all of which the Zoo will breed to form assurance colonies (collections maintained as a hedge against extinction).

Living Jungle
Reptiles, amphibians AND MORE ...  Vibrant plant-life and colorful animals reside in MOLA's lushly landscaped outdoor experience, representing the "and more" section of the facility. Colorful flora will surround the Scarlet Ibises, golden lion tamarins, and sloths that inhabit this area. Plant life intended to attract local wildlife such as butterflies, hummingbirds, and dragonflies will abound.

Montane Gallery
Guests will cool off with creatures from high elevation habitats in MOLA's Montane Gallery. They will encounter the magnificent Bolen's python, back-lit and shining iridescently in its jewel box habitat. Unique species such as palm vipers and Thai bamboo racers will aesthetically transform this region of MOLA into their native mountainous regions. The Montane Gallery will introduce several new species to the Zoo, including Chiricahua leopard frogs, Kweichow crocodile newts, palm salamanders and dwarf chameleons.

Diversity Gallery
Guests will meander through a dim and twisting path as they encounter some of the most beautiful creatures on earth — Burmese pythons, Fly River turtles, green tree pythons, yellow spotted climbing toads and even legless lizards! Housed in bright jewel box habitats, these intriguing figures represent some of the rarest amphibians and reptiles from the world's tropical climates. A new acquisition — a King Cobra — will also call this new area home. The Utila Island iguanas are also a rare sight, as the Fort Worth Zoo will be one of only two zoos in the nation to house them.

Adaptation Hall
North American and other arid species roam this dark, meandering hallway. With specialized coping and adaptation skills, these unique species will be displayed with state-of-the-art exhibitry. This temperature-controlled region of MOLA will include some of the world's most unique species, including Louisiana pine snakes, Eastern diamondbacks and Eastern indigo snakes. Also featured in this exhibit will be one of the Zoo's premier conservation animals, the Puerto Rican crested toad.

Desert Exhibit
This desert exhibit is anything but lifeless. Juxtaposition will be created through the inhabitation of chuckwalla lizards, desert tortoises and spiny iguanas that beautifully co-exist in this dry, rocky space. You'll be able to view the variety of shapes walking about in this open exhibit.

Flooded Forest
Guests will enjoy an immersion experience like no other as they journey through the brightly-lit flooded forest region of MOLA. Here, they'll encounter the very rare West African dwarf crocodiles, separated only by floor-to-ceiling glass. To the left, Pacu and other large fish will dart flamboyantly through the water while orange and green Caiman lizards soak in the sun.

Insect Gallery
Crawling with all kinds of interesting critters, the insectarium region of MOLA presents a not-too-creepy look at the exciting lives of the world's most fascinating insects, from orchid mantis to assassin bugs. Arranged in its own private alcove, this unique exhibit will immerse everyone into the remarkable world of insects. Clear boxes projecting from the walls will encourage guests to observe these amazing creatures in action, from a number of intriguing levels and angles.

Outdoor Classroom
Nature provides the learning curriculum at the Zoo. The outdoor classroom section of MOLA will provide the educational opportunity of a lifetime. Situated in the facility's open air classroom, students, both young and old, will learn about wildlife and conservation with all five senses for a truly captivating experience. Utilizing all learning styles — visual, auditory and tactile — Texas state-certified Zoo teachers will lead students as they encounter one educational journey after another.

Wetland
Native ducks, fish, turtles and frogs will inhabit the scenery just outside the facility's Outdoor Classroom. Here, guests will encounter one of MOLA's most important messages — energy conservation. The facility's visually stunning water filtration system will also "live" here. In conjunction with giant cisterns for rainwater storage, waterfalls and pools spread out over the complex, the brilliant streams here will keep the impressive water cycle in motion.

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