Located near the equator between Asia and Australia, New Guinea is the highest tropical island in the world with mountains tall enough to support glaciers. Covering 303,090 square miles, New Guinea is famous for its spectacular mountains and infamous for its active volcanoes, which number the largest in the world. Our new exhibit gives visitors a rare perspective of this beautiful, unspoiled river. New Guinea is also a land rich in cultures.
Cultural diversity is also evident in the look and lifestyle of New Guinea's residents.
The crocodile people of Sepik cut their skin in a ritualistic pattern to resemble the teeth marks of crocodiles. The Asmat people were enthusiastic headhunters . Australia and New Guinea are the only places in the world where these fish can be found, explained Chris Coco, curator of fishes. They come in a variety of colors from fire engine red New Guinea rainbowfish to shimmering turquoise Lake Kutubu rainbowfish. Schooling in large numbers, they feed on small crustaceans, insect larvae and some aquatic vegetation.