ARC Campus at Zoo Knoxville

Coming THIS SPRING

THE ARC
CAMPUS

The Clayton Family Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) Campus will showcase old friends and new arrivals, as well as shine a spotlight on the groundbreaking conservation work of Zoo Knoxville’s internationally acclaimed herpetology team. The largest project in Zoo Knoxville’s history, the new campus and its 12,000-square-foot FirstBank ARC Center is a state-of-the-art facility where visitors can see exciting new species. Visitors are invited to explore the beautiful new habitats such as a greenhouse and outdoor wetlands.

The beautiful new Conservatory and Gallery will showcase new species at Zoo Knoxville, including crocodiles, lizards, salamanders, turtles, frogs and snakes of all kinds. The facility will also provide immersive experiences and a chance to create your own herptile and release it into the digital wild. Guests will also see some of the Zoo’s critical behind-the-scenes research and conservation work with reptiles and amphibians.

Internationally known for its turtle and tortoise collection, Zoo Knoxville will show off its radiated tortoises and over a dozen endangered Asian turtle species in the all new Greenhouse habitat. The Greenhouse will also showcase a variety of unique tropical plants from Southeast Asia.

Internationally known for its turtle and tortoise collection, Zoo Knoxville will show off its radiated tortoises and other stars in the all new Greenhouse habitat. The adjacent Adventure Lab includes classrooms and meeting space for expanded learning opportunities.

The ARC at Zoo Knoxville will feature an outdoor wetland classroom where viewers can get hands-on educational experiences, and interact with zoo staff and animals in marshes and bogs filled with life. Children can hop across large lily pads, collect specimens and bring them back into the classroom to investigate.

The Adventure Lab will give guests of all ages the opportunity to get a closer look at the wetlands and enjoy hands-on learning. Engaging STEM programming will enhance school curriculum while fostering an appreciation and understanding of the important role of wetlands for water quality and sustainable ecosystems.

Marshland Boardwalk

North American River Otters

Conservatory

Conservatory

Venomous Gallery

Venomous Gallery

Greenhouse

Marshland Boardwalk

Golden Dart Frog

Phyllobates terribilis

These brightly-colored amphibians may look cute, but they are considered one of the world’s deadliest animals. Their beautiful patterns aren’t just for looks either — they serve as a warning to potential predators. Scientists think that poison dart frogs get their toxicity from some fo the insects they eat—ants, termites, beetles, and other small bugs.
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Poison dart frogs live in the rain forests of Central and South America. Many species are endangered due to climate change and habitat loss.

Habitat

Rainforests
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Life Span

5-7 Years

Size

3.0-4.5 cm

Deadly

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Radiated Tortoise

Astrochelys radiata

Considered one of the world’s most beautiful tortoises, with a yellow head, legs and feet, and a high-domed carapace (or shell) with yellow lines radiating in a star pattern. Sensitive to touch, with an excellent sense of smell. Because of the extreme heat where they live they are early risers, spending their mornings eating grass, succulents and cacti. Babies hatch out yellow and black, which aids them in hiding from predators.

Habitat

Spiny forest and coastal sand dunes of Madagascar

Life Span

50-75 Years

Size

16 in. long; 35 lbs.

Deadly

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Cuban Crocodile

Crocodylus rhombifer

The Cuban Crocodile, while not a particularly large species, is often regarded as the most aggressive crocodile and is dominant over larger crocodiles in the area. These crocs feed on fish, turtles, and small mammals. This highly intelligent species is also the most terrestrial of crocodilians. They display cooperative hunting behavior which has rarely been documented in other species.
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The Cuban Crocodile can only be found in Cuba, where it is critically endangered. Its restricted habitat as well as hunting make it very vulnerable to extinction.

Habitat

Cuba; Freshwater Marshlands & Rivers

Life Span

50-75 Years

Size

7-11 ft.; 150-180 lbs.

Deadly

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COMMITTED TO

Conservation

Fun on the outside, serious about animals on the inside. Zoo Knoxville is committed to being part of the solution to save species from extinction, both locally and globally.

Zoo Knoxville works with other accredited zoos on a collective Species Survival Plan for all animals that live in accredited North American zoos. The zoo staff works to maintain a healthy, genetically diverse population to ensure we don’t lose animals to extinction.

Turtle Hatchery

We’ve become a world leader in tortoise and turtle conservation. Zoo Knoxville became the first zoo to ever hatch the critically endangered northern spider tortoises in captivity. At the ARC Campus, you can see babies shortly after hatching and learn how we raise them for the first few months.

Education

The ARC Campus combines animal habitats with education space to spark curiosity and inspire learning. Get involved in outdoor classrooms, get to know keepers and animals, and explore marshes and bogs filled with life. You can be the future conservationists we need.

Education

The ARC Center is an innovative model, combining animal habitats with education space, all designed to spark curiosity and inspire learning. Classrooms will also be outdoors, providing more opportunities to interact with zoo staff and animals in marshes and bogs filled with life.

Wild Research

Zoo Knoxville is involved with conservation work in the field to save East Tennessee’s endangered bog turtle and ongoing research with native hellbender and mudpuppy salamanders. We travel to places like the Komodo Islands and Madagascar to study animals in their native habitats.

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