After four years of hard work, on 25^th of May, 2001, the Tropical house was opened. It is the first animal house that is so technically advanced and has so many exhibits.

In the Tropical house the visitors have the opportunity to see 20% of all animals in the Riga Zoo, kept in conditions that are maximally close to their natural environment. At the moment, animals of about 75 species are exhibited in the Tropical house. Extensive collection of insects, gorgeous tropical amphibians, mysterious nocturnal animals and reptiles can amaze just about everyone.

	When entering the hallway of the Tropical house, one can see a family of black lemurs. In fact, only male lemurs are black, while female lemurs can take pride in their russet fur. The black lemur is a rare species that has to be conserved. Just like all other species of lemurs, it is found in the wild only in Madagascar.
	Several stands are found further in the Tropical house where one can find information about tropical forests as well as hazards to the animals living there. At the stand “Nepērc dzīvību!” that was created with the help of the Customs Office of Latvia and Nature Conservation Agency you will find out that there are some things that you are not allowed to buy when travelling around the world.
	Mainly reptiles dwell in the central hall of the Tropical house: gavials, African dwarf crocodiles and water turtles. In the terraria that were upgraded in 2008 are displayed an Indian python and a mangrove monitor. Varanus is a latinized Arabic word meaning ‘warder’ and in former times people believed that monitors were warning them if a crocodile was approaching. Local people hunt monitors both for their skin and meat. Even though these beautiful lizards are not yet included in the list of endangered animals, the international laws restrict hunting and selling them.
	The amphibian hall displays an amazing variety of colours and shapes. The mossy frogs, Chinese gliding frogs, dendrobates or poison dart frogs and tropical clawed frogs are considered to be the most interesting exhibits. The most patient visitors will see there about 20 species of tropical amphibians, the most part of which is bred in the Riga Zoo.
	You will be able to obtain information about the importance and diversity of insects both in the information stand and the expositions: hardworking leafcutter ants, delicious Madagascar hissing cockroaches, stick insects that are hard to notice and many others.
	At the end your patience is put at test: only the quietest and most patient visitors will get to see many unique animals in the night animal exposition. These animals in their natural environment are most active during the night, especially before sunrise or after sunset.

Now the circle is over. And when you come back into the light, you shall have to decide whether to continue your walk through the zoo and see other animals or to repeat the trip through the Tropical house, because it is impossible to see everything at once, especially during the first visit to the Tropical house.