Plantasia

Plantasia
Plantasia
Map
51°37′18.00″N 3°56′19.00″W / 51.6216667°N 3.9386111°W / 51.6216667; -3.9386111
Date opened1990
LocationSwansea, Wales
Websitewww.swansea.gov.uk/plantasia

Plantasia Tropical Zoo is a large public hothouse, located in the Parc Tawe retail park, Swansea, Wales that opened in 1990.

Information

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Bearded dragons at Plantasia

Plantasia exhibits a wide range of tropical plants, insects, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and fish. There is a cafeteria and education room.

The glasshouse contains two climate zones: Tropical with a rainforest, and Arid. The collection includes around 5,000 plants, some of which are endangered in their natural habitat. Plant types include palms, bananas, giant bamboo, various fruiting plants including Lime and many epiphytes including bromeliads, orchids and aroids, there is also a small collection of cacti and succulents in the arid zone.[1]

Along with the plants, there is supporting wildlife including meerkats, crested geckos, tarantulas, red-bellied piranha, koi carp, green-winged macaw, white-cheeked turaco, bearded dragons and a Burmese python. Additionally, Plantasia houses common marmosets, Asian leopard cat, Spectacled caimans and critically endangered Kleinmann's tortoise.[2]

In 2019 Plantasia added many new features to its exhibits. These included a new cafeteria and gift shop. Within the glasshouse new additions included a waterfall lookout, rainforest hut, living bridge and interactive educational exhibits.

Filming location

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Plantasia was used as a filming location for the Doctor Who episodes "The Doctor's Daughter" (on 21 December 2007) and "Cold Blood" (on 13 November 2009).[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Plants (the hothouse trail)". swansea.gov.uk. City of Swansea. Archived from the original on 17 October 2012. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
  2. ^ "Animals at Plantasia". swansea.gov.uk. City of Swansea. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
  3. ^ "Doctor Who in Wales - Plantasia, Swansea". bbc.co.uk. BBC Online. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
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