On Saturday, July 15, Butterfly Pavilion (BP) is celebrating two exciting events: the 28th anniversary of our zoo and the birthday of our best invertebrate ambassador, Rosie the tarantula. In her honor, anyone who holds Rosie in July receives a commemorative Rosie birthday sticker. And on Saturday, July 15, the first 800 kids who visit Butterfly Pavilion and Rosie for her birthday will get a special sweet treat!
As the first Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited nonprofit, stand-alone invertebrate zoo in the world and home to more than 5,000 animals, BP has flourished within its 28 years to become a leader in invertebrate conservation, research, and education.
Rosie, a Chilean Rose Hair tarantula, is an important part of BP’s engagement and education with guests, helping many face their fears and preconceptions about spiders while acting as an important entry-point for appreciating invertebrates and supporting their conservation and protection. BP hosts the AZA Chilean Rose Hair SWARM (Safety Web for Arthropod Reproduction and Management) through actively breeding famous “Rosies” to ensure adequate husbandry, breeding and sustainability for this species.
Spiders are incredibly beneficial to our ecological system and serve a significant role in keeping many of our least favorite pests in check – like mosquitoes, flies, and fleas! They keep these nuisances out of our homes, yards, and gardens, and silk spiders inspired engineering innovations like bullet-proof clothing, parachutes, and nets.
Visit on Saturday, July 15, 2023, 9:00 a.m. from 5:00 p.m. Tickets are included with general admission: Non-Member: Adult - $14.50 • Senior - $12.50 • Child - $9.50. Members receive free admission. To purchase tickets, visit: www.butterflies.org.
