Bronx, New York – The Bronx Zoo is unveiling its new World of Darkness exhibit on Saturday, July 12, 2025, featuring 25 nocturnal species from around the world.

The immersive experience recreates night habitats across tropical forests, deserts, wetlands, caves, and underground environments. Visitors will encounter creatures like sloths, pygmy slow loris, aye-aye, sand cats, naked mole rats, vampire bats, broad-snouted caiman, and more. A video captured on-site showcases highlights including a sloth, bats, a tarsier, a naked mole rat, and a lizard.

The exhibit first opened in 1969 as the first major zoo installation to use a reverse light cycle, making nocturnal animals visible during their active hours. Closed in 2009, it now reopens with advanced LED systems simulating natural sunrises and sunsets to support species’ rhythms.

Jim Breheny, Bronx Zoo Director and WCS Executive Vice President of Zoos & Aquarium, said, “The opening of the new World of Darkness will once again provide Bronx Zoo visitors with a unique immersion experience to observe amazing creatures that have evolved to live and thrive in darkness.”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download