Do you know why are an owl’s feathers are so soft? Why a skunk doesn’t smell bad most of the time? That a millipede doesn’t really have a thousand legs? And why a blue-tongued skink has … a blue tongue?
Derby children found out the answers to all these questions and more after the zoo paid a visit to their summer school.
A skunk, hissing cockroach, royal Python, white-faced owl, curly-haired tarantula and white rat were some of the animals who were taken to see students at The Bemrose School this summer.
Pupils who are due to start their secondary education at Bemrose have been invited to attend a two-week summer school to help them with the transition process from their primary studies.
Millie Cox enjoys wearing Chunk, a Royal Python snake, around her neck!
As part of the fortnight, around 40 children who have been attending on a daily basis got the chance to see some beautifully weird and wonderful creatures which were brought along by Nottingham-based Fudge & Co Exotic Animal Encounters.
Dan Sleight, from Fudge & Co, told children all about the animals, telling them that a blue-tongued skink’s tongue is that colour so it can trick its enemies into appearing venomous; that an owl’s soft feathers absorb noise so it can fly silently, and that a skunk does not smell at all most of the time, only releasing its legendary odorous weapon if it really has to.
Dan Sleight, co-owner of Fudge & Co Exotic Animal Encounters, holding Bindy, a blue-tongued skink
Children attending the petting zoo as part of the two-week summer school said they really enjoyed the experience.
Raheem Akhtar, 11, who is joining year seven at Bemrose after attending St James’ Church of England Junior School, took the opportunity to hold a hissing cockroach as part of the afternoon’s session.
He said: “It’s been amazing, and I’ve conquered some of my fears as well.”
Millie Cox, who is joining Bemrose from Hardwick Primary, said: “I think this is a good opportunity for us.”
The Bemrose School lays on a two-week summer school annually for year six children transitioning to year seven. The fortnight is free for families and includes food and some academic studies as well as trips. This year, children are also being taken to Lea Green outdoors activity centre in Matlock and Twycross Zoo.
Beaulieu Watson of The Bemrose School, who organised the petting zoo for children, said: “We have devised an animal theme for this year’s summer school and as part of that, I wanted these students to have an experience they may not have had the opportunity to do at any other time.
“It’s important that this two-week summer school is fun for the young people who come along. These students have given up their own time in the summer holidays and given up two weeks to experience life at Bemrose and prepare themselves for September and I think that’s wonderful.
“Some children who have come along have only just arrived in this country very recently so it’s great to see them settling in.”
