Brookfield Zoo to host North America's largest public collection of arachnids

Brookfield Zoo to host spiders and scorpions this summer

32934647_10156591672484170_6452059361366769664_n_e1526936340335.jpg — A baboon spider can be seen at Brookfield Zoo’s Amazing Arachnids exhibit from May 26 through September 3. The exhibit features 100 live eight-legged critters, making it the largest public collection of arachnids in North America. | Brookfield Zoo Facebook photo

Can’t get enough creepy crawlies? The newest temporary exhibit coming to Brookfield Zoo is for you.

Amazing Arachnids, featuring more than 100 live eight-legged creatures, will open Saturday, May 26, the west suburban zoo announced Monday.

An African burrowing scorpion, is one of 100 arachnids that can be seen at Brookfield Zoo’s summer exhibit—Amazing Arachnids. | Provided photo

The exhibit features North America’s largest collection of arachnids. It features two key components, Art and Science of Arachnids and Mission Safari Maze, to teach guests about arachnid conservation, folklore and mythology.

For the brave spider-lovers out there, hands-on experiences like mazes and spider-web building will be available.

“Giant colorful spinning wheels highlight 48 missions or tasks that link guests with one of the animals in a gigantic maze,” according to the zoo.

“After spinning the wheel, zoo-goers are then challenged to move through the immersive attraction that introduces themes of species survival and protection through play-and-learn interactives like a climb-on spider web, jungle vines, swinging bars, and a falcon monorail zip slide.”

The exhibit runs through Sept. 3.

At Brookfield Zoo’s Amazing Arachnids, guests can climb on a spider web in Mission Safari Maze. The summer exhibit engages guests to learn about and make a connection with one of the 16 species that is featured in the 3,500-square-foot maze. Families can play over and over again to experience a new adventure each time. | Provided photo

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