South America’s Amazon River is the world’s largest river system. Making its way more than 18,000 vertical feet from the mountains to the sea, this river cuts through some of the most diverse forest in the world. Seasonal rainfall causes the river to swell, creating a unique flooded forest habitat. As water levels drop through the dry season, floodplain lakes become isolated from the main river. Animals living in the Amazon are adapted to survive the extremes of these seasonal habitats.
The river basin itself is home to a wide diversity of animals from river dophins to colorful cichlids to hundreds of species of amphibians and reptiles.
In the Amazing Amazon exhibit you will come face to face with piranha, ripsaw catfish, an electric eel, jungle frogs, and more!
Exhibit Gallery
Step into the Amazon River to learn about diverse species living there. 
The electric eel is a fan favorite.