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All the United States New York State New York City the Bronx Bronx Zoo Bug Carousel

Bronx Zoo Bug Carousel

The first and only carousel with a lineup entirely of insects.

Bronx, New York

Added By
David Doochin
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The praying mantis on the ride. Photo:   Jesse Garrison/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
The praying mantis on the ride. Photo:   Jesse Garrison/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
A bee on the carousel. Photo:   Julie/CC BY-ND 2.0
Enjoying the carousel ride. Photo:   Eden, Janine and Jim/CC BY 2.0
A view on the carousel. Photo:   Andre C Rivera on YouTube
The entrance to the Bronx Zoo. Photo:   Postdlf/CC BY-SA 3.0
  wherearewedude / Atlas Obscura User
Bronx Zoo Bug Carrousel   twostepp82 / Atlas Obscura User
  wherearewedude / Atlas Obscura User
  wherearewedude / Atlas Obscura User
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If you've ever had the urge to ride a giant firefly, the Bronx has you covered. Located right next to the butterfly exhibit at the Bronx Zoo is a wholly different kind of entomological exhibit: the kind that doubles as an amusement ride.

In lieu of horses and other mammalian and mythological beasts, the Bronx Zoo Bug Carousel features 64 different types of insects that you can mount — including fireflies, beetles, grasshoppers, and ladybugs. There are also two stationary chariots: a monarch butterfly and a dung beetle. Each figure is hand-carved from basswood and painted to look just like its real-life critter counterpart. 

Billing itself as the first and only carousel with a lineup entirely of insects, the Bug Carousel has been a staple of children's visits to the zoo since its opening in 2005.  The ride's meant to be both fun and educational, and you can admire painted murals running along the circumference of the center pole, capturing caterpillars’ transformation into butterflies. To complete the experience, the carousel's music was even composed with real insect sounds from the Wildlife Conservation Society. 

Related Tags

Bug Bug Week Carousels Zoos Animals

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Open year-round, the carousel has sliding glass doors that close in the wintertime. 

Community Contributors

Added By

daviddoochin

Edited By

MagnumPI, wherearewedude, twostepp82

  • MagnumPI
  • wherearewedude
  • twostepp82

Published

June 23, 2016

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Bronx Zoo Bug Carousel
Children's Zoo Ln
Fordham Road and the Bronx River Parkway
Bronx, New York, 10460
United States
40.850782, -73.879593
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Stories 3

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