The Bio-Dome in Montreal occupies part of the Velodrome Centre from the 1976 Olympics. First opened in 1992, it contains four "habitats" with representative animals and vegetation:
The Tropical Rainforest, The Laurentian Maple Forest, The Gulf of St Lawrence and the Sub-polar regions (Labrador Coast and Sub-Antarctic Islands).
The Tropical Rainforest is just that - the temperature is kept at 24°C, a little warmer in the summer and a little cooler in the winter, with the humidity at 70-80%.
Amongst the various animals in this section are three different types of monkeys.
There is a collection of tropical frogs including poison dart frogs.
An emerald tree boa snake hangs out with the frogs.
Several types of bats including the Jamaican fruit bat fly about in a darkened display area.
The roseate spoonbill adds a splash of colour, as does the scarlet ibis.
A southern screamer (which lives up to its name) is accompanied by two white faced whistling ducks.
The Laurentian Maple Forest area houses a few animals typical to that type of forest.
The porcupine spends a lot of time sleeping. (As do the beavers and otters which we didn't see on this visit.)
Two very well fed raccoons were actively bothering each other. We noticed there was lettuce available for them to eat - signs of a much needed diet perhaps.
Both lynx were having a quiet time, only one was photographable.
The Gulf of St Lawrence Exhibit is very brightly lit by natural light pouring in through the ceiling windows.
The entrance to the exhibit takes the visitor below the water level.
A large viewing platform lets the visitors watch the various birds swimming and flying.
A collection of anemone and starfish in a shallow pool is clearly visible to visitors.
In the same shallow pool are some waved whelks.
The large eider ducks seem to stand out the most.
Other birds include:
The sub-polar regions area is home to puffins, murres in one area and penguins in a second.
Gentoo penguins are the most populous
The large king penguins are always a hit with visitors.
The rockhoppers and macaroni can have a similar appearance at quick glance, but the rockhopper's "eyebrows" are more wild, and the macaroni's beak is larger and more plain.
Credits:
© Jim Robertson