Hundreds of exotic butterflies take flight at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo this summer with the opening of FLUTTER! on Saturday, May 22. This popular exhibit features a diverse collection of butterflies from Africa, Asia and South America.
With names as distinctive as their colors, Blue Morpho, Great Orange Tip, Giant Owl and Red Helen butterflies will be on exhibit, just to name a few. The tropical plants of the Public Greenhouse will provide a natural palette for these ornate insects.
The butterflies arrive weekly in chrysalis form (butterfly cocoon) from butterfly farms in Costa Rica, Africa and Asia. They are placed in a special chrysalis case inside the Greenhouse so Zoo visitors can witness the amazing transformation into butterflies.
Zoo staff check the case twice each day and release any newly hatched butterflies. Additionally, a staff member is available each afternoon to answer questions and speak with guests about these fascinating creatures.
Several artificial feeding stations containing sugar water and fruit are set up inside the Greenhouse. These provide excellent locations for guests to catch a glimpse or a photo of a butterfly.
FLUTTER! is open daily through September 12, and is free with regular Zoo admission.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with hours extended to 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Admission is $10 per person, $7 for kids ages 2 to 11 and free for children under 2 and Zoo members.
To learn more, visit clemetzoo.com or call (216) 661-6500.
