Desert House: A Journey Through Arid Landscapes

Step into the Desert House and embark on a journey through the world's most extreme environments. This unique botanical and zoological exhibit, located in the former Sundial House, showcases the remarkable adaptations of plants and animals to arid conditions. Explore authentic desert landscapes from Central America to Madagascar, encountering cacti, succulents, and a variety of desert dwellers. Marvel at the 70-meter-long glass tube labyrinth housing a colony of naked mole rats, one of the most unusual animal species on Earth. Observe black-tailed rattlesnakes, Gila monsters, radiated tortoises, and other fascinating creatures that have evolved to thrive in harsh, dry climates. The Desert House is not only a display of natural wonders but also an educational experience. Learn about the survival strategies of desert flora and fauna, and gain a deeper understanding of these fragile ecosystems. Don't miss the Welwitschia mirabilis, a living fossil that can live for up to 2,000 years, and cuttings from the world's oldest pot plant. Originally built in 1904, the Sundial House provided winter accommodation for Emperor Franz Joseph's exotic plant collection. In 2003, it was transformed into the Desert House, a joint project between the Schönbrunn Zoo and the Austrian Federal Gardens. Today, it stands as a testament to the beauty and resilience of life in the desert.