Take an exciting journey through a tropical rainforest, experience the life and learn about the creatures. See exotic butterflies and tropical birds flying free, handle snakes and spiders, see poisonous frogs and scorpions, leaf cutter ants and much much more.

Whatever the weather, Summer or Winter, stroll through the wonderful world of an exotic rainforest, a landscape of tropical plants surrounding splashing waterfalls and pools.

Enjoy the great pleasure of watching hundreds of the worlds most spectacular and colourful butterflies flying all around you.

Share the world of the butterfly as they fly, sip nectar, court, egg lay or simply bask in the sunlight showing off their glorious colours. You can also marvel at the industrious leaf-cutting ants, handle weird and wonderful minibeasts (if you dare!). Not to be handled, but fascinating to view, are a selection of deadly scorpions. We have on display live animals from every Arthropod family (those with their skeletons on the outside) including millipedes, crabs, spiders, scorpions, and many types of insect. We also have Poison Arrow frogs, brightly coloured but deadly poisonous, various snakes including Royal Pythons, and also some large and friendly lizards.

One of the favourite displays is the Leaf-cutting ant colony. The workers march relentlessly along a rope suspended above your head to gather pieces of leaf, and then march back over your head carrying their load to their nest. Here, they grow a special type of fungus on the leaf pieces on which they feed. At regular intervals throughout the day, handling sessions are held, an opportunity for you to get to grips with some of the larger animals we have. Regular stars appearing are Milly the millipede, Monty the royal python, Jemima the jungle nymph (a stick insect) and a cameo performance by Abby-Sue our tarantula (or her stunt double!)

Opening Times

Open every day, except 25th - 26th December and 1st - 2nd January. Summer - 9.30am - 5.30pm Winter - 10.00am - 5.00pm Last Admission 30 minutes before closing.

How To Find Us

By Car: Located at Dobbies Gardening World off the Edinburgh City Bypass at the Gilmerton exit or from the Sheriffhall Roundabout - just follow the signs..

By Bus:

Lothian Region Transport bus number 3 and Eastern Scottish 80 & 80A from Princes street (Shops Side) Mon - Sat. On Sundays a SMT number 78 from Princes street.