(Report and photos by Akela)
On Friday, Ryan and Kirsty from Jurassic Reps, in Bristol, came to visit our group and give a talk about reptiles, their habitats and how to look after them. They brought along several reptiles and encouraged the Cubs to handle them.
First out was a very large Iguana who just wandered around the hall, tasting the floor as he went.
The cubs were encouraged to touch him as he ambled past them. Next came out a couple of babies. A very small, but very quick, corn snake and a bearded dragon. Some larger specimens were then produced and all of the cubs had a chance to handle them.
Ryan’s last specimen was a very large Python, which apparently was only half grown, but he was still about 6 feet long, or just short of 2 metres in new money. The bravery of some of the cubs deserted them at this point as Ryan asked who would like to hold him. Volunteers were a bit thin on the ground until the Cubs were assured that he had been fed and wouldn’t need another feed for a month or so.
Photo opportunities were plentiful as the Cubs became a little braver. One visitor, Oli, found out about the defence mechanism of an Iguana when he approached him a little bit quickly, startling the animal. He was rewarded with a swift flick of a very thick and strong tail, which caught him on the side of his neck leaving a lovely raised welt.
Thanks are given to Ryan & Kirsty of Jurassic Pets for a brilliant talk and for the opportunity to handle the reptiles that they gave to the Cubs. Thanks too to Dave and to Stewart who came along to help Akela.
Jurassic Reps can be found at: -
507 Wells Rd
Hengrove
Bristol
Tel 01179 715691
e-mail jurassicreps@yahoo.co.uk