Osher Rainforest- California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences is host to a diverse array of habitats and wildlife. One of the most unique is the 90-foot tall neotropical rainforest.This exhibit, called the Osher Rainforest, is encased in a four foot tall glass globe, and contains three ecosystems: a Bornean forest floor, a Madagascan mid-story, and the canopy of a Costa Rican forest.

The Osher Rainforest is home to over 1,600 animals, including free-flying birds and butterflies, and exotic reptiles and amphibians. The rainforest transcends the glass dome, as the forst floor contains animals and wildlife found in and Amazonian flooded forest. The fish which inhabit this 100,000 gallon tank can be examined more closely below the forest, in the Academy's aquarium.

As visitors walk up the ramp which circles the outside of the dome, they discover a new set of exhibits on each of the four landing. Some landings contain habitats for poisin dart frogs and silk orb-weaver spiders, while others contain flourishing plants that attract a myriad of butterflies. The poisonous amphibians and reptiles were kept in separate containers, not only to protect humans but also to provide an adequate habitat for the sensitive animals. Many of the amphibians needed higher levels of humidity in their habitats in order to live as they would in the wild. The clear habitats also allowed the vitiing humans a closer look at each animal, without any risk of harm.

As you look down from each level, you can come face-to-face with exotic species in their natural habitats. I was able to see two macaws interacting and feeding, along with many other kinds of birds. One thing that struck me as I walked through the mock forest was the interaction between different species. Although some species came from different ecosystems, the species that naturally inhabited the same ecosystem had complex relationships. In fact, many kinds of macaws eat fruits and plants that are harmful or deadly to other bird species. The macaw eats a type of clay that can neutralize the effects of toxic plants, allowing the other bird species to have full range of the non-toxic plants.

The combination of exotic flora and fauna, and a tropical climate with temperatures of 82–85 degrees and humidity at 75 percent or above, visitors feel as though they are truly experiencing a rainforest. Bright colors can be seen everywhere, and some visitors may be lucky enough to see a butterfly in close quarters.

This magnificent experience can be fun and educational for kids and adults alike.

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