Friday 14th
Akela had decided that the Cubs needed to do more badgework and part of this involved animals. After ringing various people up regarding bringing small animals into the presence of our Cubs, Roger was recommended. We visited another Scout unit where Roger was booked. We were most impressed and managed to book an evening for him and his 'friends' to appear before our Cubs.
The Cubs were informed last week that we would have something special this week, this got them curious and we had a full turnout. They arrived and started their usual running around and being noisy. Akela had to tell them that we had some small visitors that would be upset by the noise. They were quiet for a while until the next Cubs arrived and the buzz of excitement would grow into a clamour.
Roger was introduced and the Cubs were asked to get a chair and form a semicircle. Roger started his talk explaining why he was here, why zoos exist, the problem of habitation loss to many creatures. Then on to the meeting the creatures.
First out were some invertebrates; some insects, a millipede, and an arachnid all of which were received with mixed reactions, some of the Cubs not wanting them near them and others only to happy to have a cockroach climb onto their hand.
|
|
|
The large, hairy spider was very friendly, willing to shake hands with the Cubs and waving one of her legs to say goodbye. The Cubs counted the legs and found that there were ten, not eight! Harry was the Cub that surprised us by stating correctly that the front two were mouth parts that can be used for locomotion. (Pedi-pap's I think they are called). High light of this session was when the Cubs were asked for another arachnid, some one said octopus. Well eight 'limbs', but wrong.
Moving on to reptiles the Cubs were introduced to a very old lady, a tortoise named Bertie, not easy to establish tortoise gender apparently!! She sat on the floor unable to get a grip on the highly polished surface. Several of the Cubs held her and remarked on her size and weight. An Australian Bearded dragon was shown around, the fierce spikes and inflatable throat sac were described and explored by the Cubs. One of the Cubs had mentioned Dragons when asked about very old creatures, older even than dinosaurs, and was delighted to actually have a real dragon in the hall.
 |
 |
Next four snakes of increasing size were brought out. Starting with a little one, recently discovered to be venomous, which startled the Cubs until it was pointed out that it had no method of delivering the venom. Next a beautiful Tree Boa was displayed by Akela, who would have let the Cubs hold it if only it hadn't wound itself tightly around his arm and was not interested in letting go. Skin shedding was displayed next with a newly shed snake gleaming in the lights, the Cubs were allowed to touch this snake and remarked on it's weight and the texture of the body. The last snake looked very tatty, with skin hanging off, however the new skin underneath looked fantastic. As some of our Cubs are a bit small, it was felt that it would not be a good idea for them to hold it. If they had squeaked the snake might have thought they were a rodent and tried to eat them!
By this time it was getting late and as parents arrived they were invited in to see the creatures. Next up were a couple of mammals, an old friendly skunk that Hathi took round and then a baby Meercat, that seemed a little over awed by the amount of people and noise. It leapt onto Rogers shoulder and was taken round a few Cubs before being put away for it's peace of mind.
A truly amazing night had passed in a twinkling. The Cubs asked some good questions, some strange questions and had them all answered. Thanks to Hannah and Julie for helping the animals meet the Cubs and to Akela for organising it. Special thanks to Roger for bring the animals along and providing an interesting and informative talk, an evening that I am sure the Cubs, and Leaders, will remember for a very long time.
Amazingly Joe was the first person Roger has known that knew the one true difference between Snakes and lizards, it's not leg numbers or eye-lids. It is in fact :- ears. Lizards do and snakes don't or is it the other way around? (Hathi strenuously denies helping by pulling his ears to give Joe a clue)
After the Cubs had all gone home, Akela allowed the tarantula to climb onto his hand. Pictures were taken as Mrs Akela would not have believed him otherwise. (WARNING close-up photo of spider below)
|
|
|
|
