Meet a creature - Moortown Primary School, Leeds

This afternoon, Year 4 came face to face with some fascinating creatures. We held and learnt about a range of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and mini-beasts. This was a real hands-on experience and every child was shown how to handle the animals with care and respect.

MAISIE (Corn Snake) These non-venomous snakes are native to North America and are a species of Rat Snake. They are inquisitive and quite fast-moving, so are great to watch when they explore their surroundings.

GABBY (Arizona Banded Gecko) This is a real cutie – very placid and more than happy to be held. This delicate-looking lizard is actually capable of living in some of the most harsh environments including high desert plateaus. It can cast off its tail to escape from a predator and then grow a new one.

PEPPER (Chinchilla) This cuddly chinchilla Pepper has a very laid-back personality and might just doze off on your knee. These soft-furred rodents live on the barren, rocky slopes of the Andes mountains of South America. They don’t burrow, but live in rock crevices or holes. Their dense, soft fur keeps them war and their hairless feet can grip rocky surfaces.