Hinton tropical house zones

Welcome to the Hinton Tropical House, where you can explore seven different zones, each with its own theme and attractions.

Zone 1

Grasshoppers, katydids and crickets

Let us introduce the order Orthoptera, which includes insects that have powerful hind legs for jumping and produce a characteristic chirruping sound by rubbing body parts together. Learn about their habits, diets and roles in nature.

Grasshoppers

Large grasshoppers can jump between 10 and 20 times its body length without the help of its wings!

Katydids

In all species of Katydid, the front wings have special structures that can be rubbed together to make sounds. They hear these sounds with flat patches on their legs that act as ears.

Crickets

The collective noun for a group of crickets is an orchestra!

Praying mantis

Admire the fascinating predators of the order Mantodea, which are known for their prayer-like posture and their ability to turn their heads 180 degrees. See different species of praying mantis and learn about their anatomy, behaviour, reproduction and camouflage.

Praying mantis

Praying mantis can turn their heads a full 180 degrees! All mantises have two eyes, but only one ear. Female mantises sometimes eat their mates!!

Cockroaches, assassin bugs, leeches and giant water bugs

This zone is dedicated to some of the most diverse and adaptable invertebrates in the world. You can see cockroaches of various sizes and colours, assassin bugs that use their piercing mouthparts to inject venom into their prey, blood sucking leeches and giant water bugs.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches can live up to a month without food and up to a week without a head!

Assassin bugs

Assassin bugs are also known as kissing bugs for their unpleasant habit of biting sleeping humans on the lip!

Leeches

Leeches have 10 eyes, but they have poor eyesight. Some are still used in medical procedures.

Giant water bugs

In some giant water bug species the female lays her eggs on the back of the male, who then carries the eggs around until they hatch.

Snails and crabs

Explore the alien world of molluscs and crustaceans, two groups of invertebrates that have shells or exoskeletons to protect their soft bodies. You can see snails of different shapes and patterns, and crabs of different species, some of which are predators or scavengers.

Snails

Snails are born with shells. If well looked after, snails in captivity can survive for nearly 25 years.

Crabs

The Pea Crab is the smallest known species of crab. It measures between 0.27 and 0.47 inches long.

The Japanese Spider Crab is the biggest species of crab, measuring about 12 feet between its claws!

The shell and coral museum

This zone is a showcase of shells and corals from all corners of the globe. You can admire the stunning colours, patterns and shapes of these marine treasures and learn about their life cycle and ecology. You can also compare the different types and species of shells and corals and see how they have evolved over time.

Corals

Corals are animals. Coral reefs play host to 25% of ocean life. The biggest threat to corals is the heating and acidification of the ocean due to climate change.

Spiders

In this zone, you can encounter some of the most feared and misunderstood invertebrates in the world. You can see spiders of different sizes, shapes and colours, some spiders are venomous, others are harmless. You can also learn about their anatomy, behaviour, silk production and web building.

Spiders

Spider silk is strong… stronger than steel at the same width!

Tarantulas

This zone is reserved for the largest and most impressive spiders in the world. Tarantulas have hairy bodies and striking markings. You’ll learn about their habits, diets, reproduction and defence mechanisms.

Tarantulas

The largest tarantula has a leg span the size of a dinner plate! Tarantulas have 8 eyes, but despite this, they can’t see very well.

Our other tropical houses

Kirby

tropical house

Includes our ‘Introduction to Invertebrates’ and ‘Night Zone’ exhibits.

See all zones

Hinton

tropical house

Fascinating shell museum and the spider and tarantula rooms.

See all zones

Comstock

tropical house

Four more invertebrate rooms including our fabulous leaf cutting ants.

See all zones

Reviews

Fantastic, my 4 year old grandson thought it was brilliant.

Iain Hair

1 day(s) ago

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Really good place to visit! Came with a 5 year old, they loved it, there were various activities as well as all the insects. And it wasn't too expensive. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, and the ca...

Steve Robinson

2 day(s) ago

Incredible collection, good for a full afternoon of browsing. Ant exhibit was great too!

Tom G-P Scott

5 day(s) ago

What a unique place. A really lovely few hours for me and my 3 year old. Special thank you to Fenn for the bug handling experience he was brilliant. We plan to go back again in the summer. Considering the co...

Alex

7 day(s) ago

Went here on a uni trip, it was a fun day! Would recommend to anyone, especially with children.

Kseniia Kiniashova

1 week(s) ago

Excellent and unique place to visit, the staff are very friendly and helpful and all of the bugs are in clean and natural enclosures. Plenty of information boards explaining what everything is. The ant colon...

Stevens amazing Minecraft run

1 month(s) ago

Very interesting for all ages, a real fun time. Great staff, fascinating talks, good outside play area. Lovely cafe. We love it.,

Andrew Good

This is such an amazing resource for Norfolk! A hugely entertaining day out for kids big and small. It also has a great cafe with lovely cake and good vegetarian options.

Will Nash

The Bug Parc:

Hinton tropical house

Hinton tropical house zones

Zone 1

Grasshoppers, katydids and crickets

Grasshoppers

Katydids

Crickets

Praying mantis

Praying mantis

Cockroaches, assassin bugs, leeches and giant water bugs

Cockroaches

Assassin bugs

Leeches

Giant water bugs

Snails and crabs

Snails

Crabs

The shell and coral museum

Corals

Spiders

Spiders

Tarantulas

Tarantulas

Zone 1

Our other tropical houses

Kirby

tropical house

Hinton

tropical house

Comstock

tropical house

A day full of fun for the whole family!

Reviews