Animal March Madness
8 animals compete but only 1 animal can win. Who are you backing?
Animal March Madness is a bracket style showdown where some of Discovery Place’s most beloved animal ambassadors face off for the title of Champion Animal Ambassador. In each round, you’ll cast your vote by choosing between two animals competing head-to-head. The animal with the most fan support advances—until only one remains. This is more than a popularity contest. When you vote, you’re supporting the animals who inspire curiosity every day and the science education experiences that connect our community more deeply with the natural world.
🏀 Tournament Schedule:
- March 1-15: Round 1 with the Elite Eight
- March 16-22: Round 2 with the Final Four
- March 23-31: Final Round for the Championship
🐾 Meet the Animal Contenders
BJ The Blue and Gold Macaw
The Rainforest’s Favorite Princess
BJ, hatched in 1989, brings elite mischief and the poise of true rainforest royalty to the Madness arena. This attention‑loving macaw and unofficial princess of the World Alive rainforest watches visitors like a coach analyzing plays—silent until they turn away, then she slings her trademark “HELLO!” to get their attention back.
Fueled by sweet potatoes, nuts, and her beloved diluted fruit‑juice blend, BJ brings bright feathers, bold attitude, and a home‑court advantage wherever she lands. When kids start squealing over her, BJ squawks back in enthusiasm. With a playbook that includes expertly timed phrases like “come here” and “cracker,” she knows how to command a crowd and match their energy.
Will BJ’s big personality and louder‑than‑life calls carry her to the championship? Stay tuned.
Cas The Madagascar Giant Hognose Snake
The Sand-Sweeping Showman
Meet Cas, a 15‑year‑old, six‑foot‑long powerhouse whose calm, steady demeanor has earned him a reputation as one of the most easygoing athletes in the lineup. Despite his intimidating size and fierce look, the Discovery Place Animal Care Team describe him as remarkably laid‑back and deserving of the title “gentle giant.”
With his distinctive hog‑like snout, he’s a master burrower, sweeping through sandy soil like a defensive force carving up the court. When the pressure’s on, he can deploy a dramatic neck‑flare display—not to strike, but to intimidate with style.
Fueled by a protein‑packed diet of rats and quail, Cas is built for endurance and precision. Will Cas strike at just the right time? This silent competitor might slither all the way to victory.
ChatGBT The Great Blue Turaco
The Shy but Ferocious Forest Glider
Gliding into the arena with quiet confidence, ChatGBT, an 11‑year‑old Great Blue Turaco, rules the World Alive rainforest with charm and caution. True to his shy nature, he’s been slowly warming up to the Animal Care Team, sometimes perching on the mezzanine balcony to supervise breakfast prep like a soft‑spoken coach.
Chat’s energy comes from a menu of mango, berries, kiwi, raspberries, and grapes, giving him the sweet fuel he needs for game day. While he’s not built for long, powerful flights, Chat specializes in smooth, stylish glides that make him look like he’s floating into position.
His biggest surprise? That voice. Chat’s deep, resonant calls have been described as sounding like a full‑on dinosaur roar, echoing through the indoor rainforest like a prehistoric hype horn before tipoff.
Herbie The Red-Footed Tortoise
The Slow‑and‑Steady Showstopper
Make way for Herbie, a 33‑year‑old curious explorer and known escape artist with his BFF Tank. Herbie loves testing boundaries and scouting for new territory. When he’s not plotting a breakout, he’s snacking on mango, kiwi, banana, or happily munching whatever plants he can reach.
Herbie loves socializing with the Animal Care Staff when they stop in. He will shadow them like a teammate stuck in slow motion and will even park himself on their shoes. One of his most iconic quirks? His fascination with shoelaces.
Fueled by curiosity, charm, and a knack for gentle mischief, Herbie shows that you don’t need lightning speed to compete—just persistence and a very heavy shell.
Marnie The Marine Toad (Cane Toad)
The Mean Mugging Heavyweight
Hopping onto the court from the Fantastic Frogs exhibit, Marnie brings nearly two pounds of solid amphibian muscle. Don’t let the mean mug fool you: Marnie is an animal ambassador-in-training and ready to meet her fans.
Marnie’s an opportunistic omnivore who doesn’t shy away from a challenge—whether it’s insects, vegetation, or even small animals. Her signature defensive move? A highly toxic secretion from the glands behind her head—making her one competitor you definitely don’t want to corner.
Built for resilience and born for nighttime showdowns, Marnie arrives in the tournament with grit, versatility, and the confidence of a toad who knows she can out‑jump, out‑maneuver, and out‑survive just about anyone on the bracket.
Stella & Andromeda The Burmese Star Tortoises
The Cosmic Dynamic Duo
Stepping into the spotlight as a two‑tortoise power team, Stella and Andromeda bring true star power to the bracket—both in name and design. At approximately 4 years old, these small but striking rookies measure 4–5 inches and fuel up on greens, vegetables, and fruit as they take on the competition.
Native to the dry forests of Myanmar, Burmese star tortoises are among the most endangered tortoises in the world. Stella and Andromeda come to Discovery Place through an AZA conservation partnership aimed at breeding and reintroducing this species into the wild. As new ambassadors, they are living symbols (and MVPs) of conservation success.
With their bold star‑patterned shells and perfectly matched teamwork, Stella and Andromeda prove that you don’t have to be big to shine bright—this dazzling duo is ready to make a stellar run in the tournament.
Taz The Rhinoceros Iguana
The Horn‑Headed Heavy Hitter
Charging in at 16 years old and stretching up to four feet long, Taz dominates the bracket with rocky‑terrain toughness and serious attitude. She’s a sassy, independent athlete who likes doing everything on her own terms—including bath time. Try to place her in the water yourself and she’ll scramble away, but leave a tub out for her and she’ll happily take a soak when she decides it’s time.
Living behind the scenes in the rainforest, she powers up on bananas and embodies the rugged resilience of her Caribbean roots. As an endangered species, rhinoceros iguanas help disperse seeds across their habitats, making them key ecological players.
Taz is a solo, swagger‑filled contender—and with her stubborn streak and horned confidence, she’s ready to take on the bracket her way.
Moon Jelly
The Weightless Wonder
Floating into the bracket with effortless grace, the Moon Jelly glides through the World Alive aquarium like a highlight reel in slow motion. Translucent and mesmerizing, this competitor proves you don’t need muscles to command attention—just perfect form.
Delicate by design, these jellies are housed in carefully engineered circular tanks. With Discovery Place’s jellyfish propagation program, new generations are raised right here behind the scenes—creating homegrown talent in every sense of the word.
With no brain, no heart, and no rush, the Moon Jelly rides the currents with calm precision, reminding everyone in the tournament that sometimes the smartest strategy is staying fluid and letting the game come to you.
❤ Ways to Join the Fun
There are plenty of ways to show your support throughout Animal March Madness—on the bracket, in the Museum, and beyond.
Vote Each Round and Compete Against Friends
Print out your very own 2026 Animal March Madness bracket with friends and see who wins! Help your favorite animal ambassador advance by voting each round and sharing your MVP love on social!
Take Your Support to the Next Level with a Gift
Donations during the tournament directly support animal care and the science experiences our ambassadors help inspire. As a thank you:
- All gifts of $5+ receive a commemorative sticker featuring the 2026 Champion Animal Ambassador
- Gifts of $20+ unlock a 20% discount on Discovery Place Science memberships
- Gifts of $100+ receive an invite to an exclusive 20‑minute Meet & Greet with one of our Animal March Madness contenders and a Discovery Place Animal Expert
Show Off Your Wild Side
Unleash your team spirit in the Animal March Madness Fan Suite at Discovery Place Science!
Grab your friends, your family, and your fiercest animal pose and snap a pic. Post it with #VoteYourWildSideDP, tag us @discoveryplacescience, and you’ll be entered in a giveaway to win a blue and gold macaw plushie. Strike a pose, share the fun, and you just might fly home a winner!
Ready to Play?
Scroll up, cast your votes, and help decide who takes the title.
Let the madness begin.