Philadelphia Zoo to welcome larger than life creatures this spring

The Philadelphia Zoo is no stranger to all sorts of different animals—but now, the venue will become home to some larger-than-life creatures.

Staying Power: Be Distinct or Go Extinct will open at the cultural institution April 1, and the new springtime activation will feature 25 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs and super-sized animatronic insects. With these new additions, Philadelphians will be able to discover the physical traits, behaviors and special skills that allowed insects to survive long after the dinosaurs went extinct.

“We are very excited to welcome guests to the Zoo to experience Staying Power – a tailor-made adventure immersing guests in the fascinating world of dinosaurs and insects, highlighting what it means to be adaptable and survive,” said Philadelphia Zoo Chief Marketing and Experience Officer Amy Shearer in a statement.

Shearer continued: “Staying Power is a dynamic experience that will put guests side-by-side with some of the biggest and smallest animals to walk the Earth, and challenge guests to look at the adaptations that we have as humans to make a difference for the future of our planet.”

With Staying Power, visitors can view a variety of different dinosaurs and insects: From a 60-foot-long roaring and moving Giganotosaurus, (aka a carnivore believed to be even larger than the T-Rex,) to a 15-foot-tall peacock jumping spider that demonstrates its mating dance, and a few other large creatures in between.

Philadelphians will feel the magnitude of the event right from the start—to enter Staying Power, guests will have to walk through an Earth-themed portal and embark on the “Dinosaur Trail.” The trail is a pathway that winds among dinosaurs that roar, move their tail, and even bend over so you can look them directly in the eye.

Then, about mid-way through their journey, visitors will also pass through a giant magnifying glass, enter a super-sized landscape of giant insects that hiss, buzz, click and wave their antennae and move their legs inside the Insect Garden, a release states.

One of the more unique aspects of the activation comes from Philadelphians being able to witness the life cycle of monarch butterflies and learn about the threats they face. The release states that they’ll also see giant honeybees working in a hive and learn their essential role, and discover the simple changes we can make in our own habitats to help insects survive.

With this new exhibit also comes the return of the Zoo Key where Philadelphians can learn more about their favorite animals. Zoo Key Storybook Boxes are located across the 42-acre campus and include stories about animals like the Zoo’s adorable sloth bear cubs, Ankole cattle, hippos, penguins and flamingos to name a few.

Staying Power opens to the public Saturday, April 1, and to Philadelphia Zoo members Thursday, March 30.  The Zoo is open daily 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and last entry to Staying Power is 4 p.m.

For more information, visit philadelphiazoo.org