PREVIEW

London Zoo has unveiled a brand-new experience – the Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians.

Home to some of the planet’s most fascinating yet threatened species – including one of the world’s largest frogs, jewel-coloured geckos, and turtles with heads so big they cannot fit in their shells – Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians will introduce London Zoo’s visitors to wondrously weird creatures.

Celebrating the wonders of reptiles and amphibians, the new experience is alive with colour – from the bright orange Lake Oku frogs found only in one lake in northwestern Cameroon in Africa and the eye-catching aqua tones of the turquoise dwarf gecko to the ever-changing rainbow patterns of the panther chameleon.

While the carefully camouflaged mossy frogs blend seamlessly into their woodland habitat, the big-headed turtles are always on the lookout – because as their name suggests, their shells provide no shelter for their supersized skulls.

Visitors will come nose-to-nose with one of the world’s largest and most threatened frogs as the breeding group of Critically Endangered mountain chicken frogs at London Zoo will be visible for the first time – until now both the frogs and the incredible work being done behind the scenes to save them has been unseen by the conservation Zoo’s visitors.

Getting the chance to delve into ZSL’s vast scientific research, visitors can try their hand at swabbing a frog to test for chytrid, with a replica lab kit outside the frogs’ home.

Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians has been meticulously designed to meet every need of its inhabitants – with each of its 33 species having individual, and very precise, requirements for temperature, humidity, water quality and lighting. The custom-built facility features 11 different climate-controlled zones, and more than 50 aquatic systems, and the Zoo’s specialist horticulture team has carefully planted each habitat to provide shade, egg-laying sites, basking locations and camouflage areas for the very particular residents.

A shadowy underwater home is hoped to provide the perfect love nest for the world’s largest amphibians - a pair of Critically Endangered Chinese giant salamanders. The 1.9 metre long Philippine crocodile may be spotted basking on the banks of, or swimming in, its 30,000-litre pool and young visitors can board a boat like the ones used by researchers to study the crocs in the wild.

Visitors will get a glimpse into the Zoo’s specialist breeding and animal care areas, with the ‘behind-the-scenes’ brought to the fore in the new space. As well as putting the zookeepers on show, Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians is the hub of London Zoo’s global conservation efforts for amphibians and reptiles – as part of ZSL, a science-driven conservation charity.