Department of Education, Taipei City Government

The Taipei Zoo introduced a special exhibition titled "Insect Legs: The Wonders of Six-Legged Adaptation" at the Insectarium starting from October 14th, 2023. The exhibition covers topics such as the structure, variety, and functions of insect legs, the sensory organs on their legs, and the inspiration they offer to humans. Our aim is to guide the public to appreciate the intricacies of how insects adapt to the Earth's environment.  

Insects exhibit remarkable diversity, and have developed specialized body parts specific to various environments and requirements. Take, for example, the legs of insects. Beyond their fundamental functions such as walking and climbing, these appendages have evolved diverse shapes and specialized functions to ensure survival in diverse habitats. For instance, fleas, measuring less than 3 millimeters in length, can leap distances up to 160 times their body length in a single bound. Cockroaches, renowned for their elusive nature, possess leg hairs that are sensitive to minute vibrations, allowing them to sense danger and swiftly evade threats, such as when we pick up our slippers, ready to strike.

This exhibition offers visitors the opportunity not only to observe live insects up close, allowing them to examine the shapes and movements of their legs, but also provides various insect specimens, magnifying glasses, and microscopes for comparison. Additionally, there are five sets of sound devices installed in the exhibition area specifically for younger children, featuring explanations by expert grasshoppers on various themes of the exhibition, along with engaging wooden models depicting insect structures. Whether adults or children, everyone can enjoy and learn something new at the exhibition.