Animals and Exhibits
 Welcome to the Indianapolis Zoo Biomes. What is a biome? A biome
is a living habitat for the animals at the Zoo that attempts
to replicate their natural habitat as much as possible. Animals
are clustered in groups inside exhibits with similar habitats,
which become the biomes. At the Zoo, you can visit each of our
five
biomes: Encounters,
Forests,
Oceans,
Deserts and
Plains.
Each of our biomes actively participates in conservation and
breeding programs, and many of them have achieved international recognition for
their work both with the animals and reproduction of highly endangered species.
Photo by Mark Kaser.
As you walk through the biomes, be sure to look for the
newest members of our family, the adorable
Zoo Babies
presented by Community Health Network.
 The
newly redesigned Encounters
Biome features the
Flights of Fancy: A Brilliance
of Birds exhibit presented by Citizens Energy
Group. It features family-friendly, interactive exhibits
and amenities — including a 4D theater, a Nursing Moms' Nest,
feeding opportunities in two different aviaries, and a charming
little Tots Treehouse play area. Here you'll find two
species of flamingos, giant Southern ground hornbills, an array
of exotic birds from Africa, a backyard habitat for native
birds, and a whole passel of adorable and kid friendly budgies. Photo
by Chris Kelso
 Temperate and tropical forests
of the world are represented in the
Forests Biome.
Filtered sunlight through a dense
tree canopy creates dappled shadows on the path as you enter the
Forests Biome. Red pandas observe you from their tree limb
perches while tiny little deer called muntjacs scamper
underneath. Across the way, you'll find an incredibly
active bunch of Asian small-clawed otters being observed from
above by white handed gibbons. Then there's the
Tiger Forest exhibit featuring the
stunningly beautiful and predatory Amur tigers. Just beyond,
you'll find the Bats
presented by ARAB exhibit, then Alaskan brown bears tumbling and
frolicking nearby, and an aviary with an American bald eagle and
some feathery friends. This rich ecosystem of Forests brings to
home the message in a powerful way that animals and the habitats
are inextricably linked. Photo Fred Cate
 In the Oceans
presented by
Citizens Energy Group exhibit you have the opportunity to touch real sharks in
the country's largest shark touch pool in the Firestone
Gallery. Meet the fierce looking green and purplemouth moray eels, and a variety of fascinating fish and
invertebrates that call the Oceans home. Also included are three
species of penguins, cownose rays, moon jellies, wobbegong
sharks, plus the underwater viewing for polar
bear, California sea lions, harbor seals, and gray seals. Oceans
emphasizes the relationships between animals and people and presents
extensive information about global
warming and keeping oceans clean and safe for all. Photo by Gabi Moore
 Also
a part of the watery world at the Zoo, the wonderful
Marine Mammals include Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, Pacific
walruses, polar bears, harbor seals, California sea lions and
gray seals. The dolphins are
featured in daily demonstrations, as well as being observed from
inside the world's only underwater dolphin viewing dome. Photo by
Kim Greer
 With
one step, visitors leave Indianapolis and arrive in an amazing
desert environment. That was the goal of Zoo staff when
designing the biome, which opened in 1990. In fact the desert
habitat is so authentic, the Zoo is known worldwide for its
successful research and breeding of some the rarest desert
reptiles. The Indianapolis Zoo was the first zoo in the world to
have successfully bred the extremely endangered Grand Cayman
blue iguana and the only zoo to successfully breed the rare
Jamaican iguana. The attention to detail in the Deserts
Biome sets
it apart from other desert exhibits across the nation. The
80-foot diameter transparent dome allows the animals to bask in
natural sunlight year-round while heating and air conditioning
vents hidden in the rocks keep the temperature in the 80s. The
Deserts Dome also includes a Zoo visitor favorite exhibit -
Meerkats.
Photo by Gabi Moore
Plains
 A
slice of Africa is recreated in Indianapolis in the expansive
Plains
Biome.
As you begin your journey, you see a large vista where a variety
of African animals graze, including kudu, zebra and
vultures. Around the corner, giraffes pluck leaves from trees,
cheetahs race, and
elephants interact quietly by a waterhole. Stately giraffes lead
you further to the fascinating white rhinos. East African
crowned cranes and Marabou storks rest near a pond that runs
under a wooden bridge carving a visitor trail through the plains
with exhibits of lions, wild dogs and baboons. The
Warthogs
share their exhibit space with crested porcupines.
Photo by Kelli Agnew
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