Vivarium in West Garden of Ueno Zoo exhibits a variety of amphibians and reptiles from both Japan and abroad. A key feature of the house is its strong emphasis on educational outreach activities in addition to animal exhibits.


Vivarium
In the special exhibition hall located immediately to the right upon entering Vivarium, a different theme is chosen each year, and amphibians and reptiles corresponding to that theme are displayed, along with explanations of their characteristics. Vivarium Ueno Zoo that regularly holds special exhibitions.

For animal keeper, special exhibits are important experimental grounds for displaying animals that are normally kept only in the back areas, developing new methods of keeping and exhibiting animals, and considering how to make explanations as easy to understand as possible. The experience gained here is then applied to the permanent exhibits.


Panther chameleons have also been exhibited.
Let's take a look back at the special exhibitions that have been held at Vivarium over the past 10 years.

- March 6, 2012 (Tue) - December 28, 2012 (Fri) "Amphibian and Reptile Encyclopedia: Eating"
・March 5, 2013 (Tue) - December 28, 2013 (Sat) "Amphibian and Reptile Encyclopedia: Feet"
・March 11, 2014 (Tue) - December 28, 2014 (Sun) "Amphibian and Reptile Encyclopedia Mamoru"

For the past three years, the special exhibitions at Vivarium have focused on three main themes: "eating," "feet," and "protecting oneself." The titles include the phrase "Amphibian and Reptile 'Mirror'," and the exhibition venues are designed to resemble an illustrated encyclopedia, with explanations and explanations presented in that style.


"Amphibian and Reptile Encyclopedia: Feet" (2013)
• March 24, 2015 (Tue) - October 18, 2015 (Sun) "How Amphibians and Reptiles Eat and Catch Their Prey"

Expanding on the theme of "eating," we also explained how amphibians and reptiles find and catch their food. We also showed videos of amphibians and reptiles eating, and introduced the amount of food other animals kept at Ueno Zoo besides amphibians and reptiles, explaining that even crocodiles, which seem ferocious, eat surprisingly little.

Venue entrance (※The period has been extended)	Explanation panel: "Surprisingly small appetite!"

・March 23 (Wed) - October 30 (Sun), 2016: "Bone and Tongue Exhibition - The Bones of Amphibians and Reptiles: What You See and What You Know"

In addition to the specimens stored in Vivarium, we also searched the specimen storage facilities within Ueno Zoo to collect skeletal specimens to be used as exhibit materials. We then focused on the bones and teeth of amphibians and reptiles, re-examining their diversity and commonalities with humans, and providing explanations.

This time, we made significant changes to the exhibition format compared to previous years, and this also required a lot of hard work to prepare.

Title panel installed at the venue entrance (※The period has been extended.)	In addition to living organisms, skeletal specimens are also on display.

・March 22, 2017 (Wed) - December 28, 2017 (Thu) "Dr. Hapepe's Laboratory - The Mystery of Feet"
・March 26, 2018 (Mon) - December 28, 2018 (Fri) "Mio Mamoru - Dr. Petru's Secret Warehouse"
March 28, 2019 (Thu) - December 25, 2020 (Fri) "Hunger-ology - What to Eat? How to Eat?"

Over the past three years, we have focused on three main themes, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of past exhibitions, and experimenting to ensure that visitors can learn in the most enjoyable way possible.

We minimized explanations and created a narrative-driven exhibition by introducing fictional characters to each piece.


2019 "Hunger Ecology - What to Eat? How to Eat?"
・July 6, 2021 (Tue) - Present: "Amphibians and Reptiles in Daily Life from a Folklore Perspective - Folklore × Herpetology"

In Japan, there are cultures that have faded away, as well as cultures that continue to be passed down to the present day. From various perspectives, we look at amphibians and reptiles in daily life and introduce Japanese amphibians and reptiles from a cultural standpoint.

Current special exhibition venue	"White snakes of Iwakuni"

It is with great regret that the special exhibit had to be discontinued during the period after 2020, when Ueno Zoo itself was closed and Vivarium was still closed after the zoo reopened due to the new coronavirus infection.

The 　current special exhibit is scheduled to close on Wednesday, December 28, and there are only a few days left, but if you visit Ueno Zoo, please be sure to stop by Vivarium as well.

Ueno Zoo Kaoru Sato, Breeding and Exhibiting Section, Insectarium

◎140th Anniversary Project Zoonet Serialization "Ueno Zoo These 10 Years
​Conservation of Rare Japanese Wild Animals
​Taking a New Step Forward "Children's Zoo STEP
​Changes in Education and Extension Programs
​Rebuilding the Veterinary Hospital
​Transformation of the entrance gate
​Various Efforts Based on the Master Plan for the Tokyo Metropolitan Zoo
​Measures against new coronavirus infection
​Environmental initiatives in the gift store and food store
​The Decade of the Animals at East Garden

(December 15, 2022)