Description

Where there is darkness, there is life. This summer, step into the dark with us and discover the mysteries, adaptations, and surprises of animals that thrive in darkness.

Interactive Map

Get directions, attraction status and more when you are at the park.

Schedule

Opening July 12

Please note: last entry to this exhibit is 30 min prior to park closing.

Admission

Included with all tickets

Accessibility

Low Light
Wheelchair Accessible

Light

Dark

The animals you’ll see in World of Darkness have evolved specialized senses to help them survive in the dark. Aye-ayes have night vision and acute hearing. They forage by tapping on trees and listening closely. An echo means grubs may be inside! They tear the bark with their teeth, then use their long, flexible middle finger to hook and dig out the grubs. Blood pythons detect heat in the form of infrared light, allowing them to see like a night vision camera.

Bats are essential

World of Darkness is home to Egyptian fruit bats, Seba's short-tailed bats, and common vampire bats. Bats play vital roles in their ecosystems, where many species act as pollinators and seed dispersers, and prey on insects. Vampire bats help each other survive by regurgitating blood to feed hungry members of their colony.

Some dark-dwelling animals possess unique behaviors and traits, which help them survive in the dark. Slow lorises produce venom that they use as a defense. Male tarantulas have special hairs on their feet that can “taste” the chemical signals called pheromones that a female leaves on the silk entrance of her nest. All scorpions glow in the dark under ultraviolet light—and scientists are trying to find out why!

Douroucouli

Douroucoulis, also known as night monkeys, are the only monkeys in the Americas that are active at night. As fruit-eaters, they help spread seeds throughout the forest.

Sand cat

Crouching low to the ground, sand cats listen with their big ears for the sounds of small animals burrowing underground, then dig them up for a meal.

Two-toed sloth

Sloths are slow-moving ecosystems unto themselves! A variety of algae, bacteria, fungi, moths, insects, and mites live in their fur.

More Animals in World of Darkness

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Welcome! It’s dark in here.

Give your eyes time to adjust to the dark.

Exhibits
World of Darkness