Tropical World
Shekina Rose, Families Editor
At Tropical World, families can enjoy a fun-filled and educational day out. Start your epic journey in the Butterfly House, where exotic butterflies fly freely through our swampy mangrove, fluttering their wings over pools swimming with Koi Carp, Terrapins and even our Morelet’s Crocodile.
Wander through the Aquarium, where you will find fish of all different shapes, sizes and colours, from all over the world. Our Red-bellied Piranha is usually found in the waters of the Amazon Basin. The Red-Tailed Racer can grow to around 2.4m and live up to 20 years.
Wind your way around the Waterfall House, under the canopy of the forest, where colourful birds fly. Check out the critically endangered Elongated Tortoises, parents and three adorable babies, hatched here at Tropical World in 2021. Can you spot our Snake Necked Turtle?
Moving into Creature Corner, you’ll encounter a range of insects, lizards and snakes that represent life found in all parts of the forest structure. Our Red Legged Millipedes have up to 750 legs. Our Cotton Top Tamarins are everyone’s favourite, a critically endangered species of monkey, who communicate using chirps and whistles.
Stepping into the Rainforest Canopy, look out for our group of Sulcata Tortoises, NEW for 2025. Our other inhabitants are all native to the tropical rainforests of South America. The male Argentine Black and White Tegu is the largest species of the ‘tegu’ lizards, the Emperor Tamarin is a monkey known for its exquisite moustache, and Pygmy Marmosets are the world’s smallest monkey.
Leaving the rainforest, move on to the Desert House. Plants and animals living here need to be well adapted to the heat! Meet our family of meerkats, who love making burrows and underground runs to keep them out of the heat.
Enter the cool darkness of the evening in Creature Cavern, the red lighting in this area mimics night time light. If we did not have these, you would not be able to see the animals, but they would be able to sense you! As your eyes become adjusted to the low light levels, you will see Lesser Madagascar Tenrecs, a Beaded Lizard, an Asian Forest Scorpion, a Tarantula and much more.
Follow the path past our female Argentine Black and White Tegu, back to the Butterfly House and see the Terrapins basking in the heat.
After working up an appetite, stop off at Tropical World Café overlooking the beautiful Canal Gardens, or visit the Tropical Lookout, offering freshly made stone baked pizzas and ice creams. There’s seating both indoors and outdoors, so you can enjoy Tropical World whatever the weather.
As part of the Roundhay Park estate, make the most of your visit and experience over 700 acres of stunning parkland, lakes, woodland, beautiful gardens and play areas – you really will have a fantastic day out!
