NEW ARRIVALS AT PLANTASIA TROPICAL ZOO:
Meet Iris the Rainbow Boa & Our Sun Beetles
There’s always something new to discover at Plantasia Tropical Zoo – and this festive season is no exception. We’re excited to welcome two fascinating new arrivals to the jungle, giving visitors even more reason to pop in over Christmas and New Year.
From shimmering scales to busy underground life, these species perfectly showcase the diversity, beauty and intrigue of the natural world.
Say Hello to Iris the Rainbow Boa 🐍
Grow Your Imagination Education Room
Our newest snake arrival, Iris, is a beautiful Rainbow Boa (Epicrates cenchria) and she’s already turning heads in our Grow Your Imagination education room.
Rainbow boas are non-venomous snakes native to Central and South America and are best known for the incredible iridescent sheen of their scales. When light hits them just right, their skin refracts light to create a stunning rainbow effect – a natural phenomenon that never fails to amaze visitors.
Rainbow boas are typically nocturnal and solitary, preferring humid rainforest environments where they can climb, explore and rest. Iris has settled in well to her habitat and can often be spotted coiled up, soaking up the warmth – though like all our animals, she has areas to retreat to for rest and welfare.
Busy Below Ground: Sun Beetles 🪲
Underground Zone
Down in the Underground Zone, we’ve also welcomed a colony of Sun Beetles (Pachnoda marginata), a colourful species of scarab beetle native to West and Central Africa.
Unlike many insects, sun beetles are active during the day, often seen flying, feeding and exploring their environment. Adults feed mainly on fruit, while their larvae play an important role in nature by breaking down decaying plant material in the soil.
They’re a brilliant species for showing how even the smallest animals contribute to healthy ecosystems – and they add plenty of movement and interest to the underground habitat.
Extra Festive Keeper Talks & Experiences 🎄
To celebrate the festive period, we’re running additional keeper talks between Christmas and New Year, giving visitors the chance to learn even more about our animals and the stories behind them.
These talks take place:
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27th–31st December
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2nd–4th January 2026
Talks run at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm
(Please note: we are closed on New Year’s Day, and we close at 2:30pm on New Year’s Eve.)
Each session explores seasonal connections, cultural traditions and fascinating facts linked to the animals and the countries they come from.
We’ve also added extra VIP animal experiences during this period, perfect for visitors looking for something a little more hands-on and unforgettable.
Jungle Escape Games
If you’re visiting with older children or teens, don’t forget our Jungle Escape games, designed for ages 12+ – a brilliant way to work together as a family and add an extra challenge to your visit. Games must be booked online in advance – and you can save 25% off your December game by using promo code JE25
A Little Heads-Up About the Dangerous Plants Room 🌱
To avoid disappointment, we’d like to gently remind visitors that our Dangerous Plants Room is currently closed, except for essential accessibility access.
Something exciting is brewing behind the scenes, as the space undergoes a brand-new dangerous-themed transformation, due to be revealed mid-January 2026. We can’t wait to share it with you soon.
Whether you’re popping in for a relaxed winter wander, joining one of our festive keeper talks, or meeting our newest arrivals for the first time, there’s plenty happening at Plantasia Tropical Zoo this season.
We recommend taking your time – and even looping the zoo more than once – as many visitors notice animals appearing or becoming active later during their visit.