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Pupils meet animals, native to desert habitats and learn how they are adapted to survive in dry, arid conditions. They are given opportunities to discuss how animals are camouflaged and encouraged to observe how each part of an animal’s body has an essential function.  They can feel the rough, scaly skin of a bearded dragon and learn how it survives on very little water and yet maintains its water levels in order to protect its internal organs.

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One of our most popular presentations, this session introduces children to a range of rain forest animals and mini-beasts. They see how the animals’ bodies are adapted to a warm, humid climate and learn about how they hunt for food and hide from predators. We explain why rainforests are so important and describe how they are under threat. Through the handling of our geckos and tarantulas, children will learn, first-hand, about the concept of conservation and develop a need to protect their environment.

Pupils will identify and name a variety of common animals including amphibians, reptiles, and mammals and discover how different animals are adapted to their habitats. They find out about and describe the basic needs of animals, including the right types of nutrition. We can also look at micro- habitats and introduce the children to a selection of fascinating mini-beasts.

Pupils learn the terms predator, prey and producer and make links between plants and animals in the form of food chains. Children discuss the different diets of animals and learn how herbivores eat the plants and then they are eaten by carnivores, so the food (energy) is passed along the ‘chain’. They can see a predator in action as our bearded dragon is fed live food!

By looking at, and touching, mini-beasts children discover their different body types, including exoskeletons. They see first-hand how different mini-beasts are adapted to find food and escape predators. This includes a giant African snail, giant milipede, stick insect, hissing cockroach and locust. We also bring some of our other creatures along so children can see how different they are.

Why are some animals and mini-beasts active at night and how do they manage to get around in the dark? Pupils are prompted to make their own observations by handling a range of nocturnal animals and comparing them to others which are active in daylight. They are encouraged to look closely at the animals’ eyes, ears and noses and imagine how they would use their senses to find their way in the dark.

Pupils discover for themselves the main differences between amphibians, reptiles, mammals and mini-beasts. By observing and handling our range of animals they learn about the different body structures and how each type of animal is adapted to its habitat. We also explain how different animals grow from eggs or young into adults and whenever possible we also bring in baby animals, which are always a great source of excitement!

A practical, sensory experience introducing pupils to fascinating creatures with scales, fur or shells. The children are invited to guess what the different animals might feel like, and then compare this with their experience of actually touching them, and to think about how their senses might compare to how the animals feel things, and helps them to appreciate the importance of treating animals with care and respect.