Turtles, Butterflies and Nocturama
25 August 2019
In the Papiliorama, over 1 000 butterflies fly freely around in a tropical garden. With their dazzling colours and various shapes and sizes, they offer an enchanting ballet. The other stages in the butterfly’s fascinating life cycle can also be discovered: the hatching of a butterfly from its pupa in the emerging chamber or the eggs and caterpillars in the terrariums.
The climate in the dome transports visitors into the fascinating world of the tropics. About 150 tropical plant and 30 animal species can also be discovered. Since 1989 the Papiliorama has been running a nature reserve in Belize. Jungle Trek is an authentic copy of these rich tropical habitats and offers an exciting hike through the tropical forest.
The tropical forest exhibition integrated into the dome encourages reflection on the fate of these unique habitats and provides an insight into our overseas nature conservation project.
The Nocturama is a worldwide unique exhibition: the translucent roof of the dome filters the natural daylight and creates a full moon night atmosphere inside. The reversed day and night rhythm makes it possible to take a nocturnal walk in the middle of the day and observe the mysterious, nocturnal animals of the tropical forests.
Along the paths, you will discover sloths, tree porcupines, night monkeys, armadillos and many other animals.
The Papiliorama is also committed to familiarizing visitors with local nature and showing them the importance of intact habitats and biodiversity. Therefore, only native plants grow on the outdoor premises, and new and valuable dry and wet habitats are constantly being created. Numerous native animal and plant species have already settled in the newly created biotope.
The European Pond Turtle (Emys orbicularis) is the only indigenous turtle species. This species used to inhabit all slow-flowing water surfaces rich in vegetation in the whole of Switzerland. Today only two populations are left, probably the result of released animals. Their disappearing is due to intense hunting over centuries on the one hand, but also due to habitat destruction.
For a few years, the Papiliorama Foundation has been involved in a reintroduction project for the European Pond Turtle. From Spring to Autumn, the turtles can be observed sun-bathing. (Further information: www.papiliorama.ch).