Year 8 Humanities students got up close with a variety of creatures who live in the rainforest, with everyone getting a chance to handle or look at a snake, tarantula, frog, millipede, tortoise and a gecko.

Andrew Grantham from Animals In-Tuition brought in the animals and talked about their rainforest habitat in Mr Turner’s class.

Students passed round the creatures during the class.  They also had chance to ask questions and have discussions about the way they have adapted to survive in their environment.

Students met Tom, a Vietnamese tree frog from South East Asia; Marge, the giant African millipede; Scooby Doo, a Crested Gecko from New Caledonia; Spinderella, a Chaco Golden Knee tarantula from South America; Esio Trot, a red footed tortoise from South America and Mr Tickle, a Royal Python from Africa.

Rijia Khan said she liked holding Tom the Vietnamese tree frog, but he was a bit slimy.

Mohammed Nasem said he really enjoyed the class, particularly when he held Mr Tickle the Royal Python.
“It was squishy and I could feel it moving in my hands but I wasn’t scared,” Mohammed said.

Ali Adan said the Royal Python felt cold and it was quite heavy.

Kaitlin Daniels held the Crested Gecko which tried to climb up her arm.
She said the class had been a lot of fun and she had learnt a lot.

The class are planning to do follow-up work. It will involve an assessment based on how rainforest animals have adapted to their habitat as part of their eco systems project.