The interactive session gave pupils the chance to handle and observe an impressive array of exotic animals, including a snake, cockroach, tree frog, tarantula, scorpion, and a giant millipede — and the fascinating facts they learnt along the way made the experience even more memorable!

The session kicked off with Dexter, the Corn Snake, who slithered confidently amongst the children, sparking curiosity and excitement. The pupils then met Millie, the Millipede, who taught them a surprising survival trick — when threatened, millipedes curl up to resemble poo to deter predators. To make matters worse (or better, from the millipede's point of view), they also release a strong poo-like scent! But not all animals are put off — monkeys love the smell and will even rub millipedes in their armpits as a natural deodorant! Millie was small for her species, with the potential to grow up to three times her current size. The children were amazed to learn that each segment of Millie’s body contains four legs.

Next up was Connie, the Madagascan Hissing Cockroach, who impressed everyone with her extraordinary resilience. Cockroaches can survive extreme conditions — they’re known to withstand fire, freezing temperatures, and even nuclear radiation! They also have two brains — one in their head and another in their rear — which allows them to survive for up to a week even if they lose their head!

The hairy tarantula was a definite talking point — though, much to the relief of the teachers, it was only there for observation rather than handling. Pupils learnt that the tarantula’s hair is used to detect vibrations from prey — a skill the children got to test out by pretending to be tarantulas themselves, crouching on the floor and “pouncing” when they sensed movement. They were intrigued (and slightly horrified) to discover that female tarantulas can live for up to 25 years, while the males typically live for just two years — and often meet their end after mating when the female eats them to provide nutrients for her babies (of which there can be up to 40!).

The children were equally fascinated by the scorpion. Its sharp pincers are used to grip prey, while its tail delivers a venomous sting that liquefies the insect’s insides, allowing the scorpion to drink its meal like “insect soup” — a fact that drew plenty of “yuks” from the crowd!

One of the biggest hits of the session was the tree frog. The children loved watching her try to escape, but she ultimately seemed content sitting on Sam’s arm. They learnt that frogs need to stay wet to breathe through their skin and that their colour changes from brown to green depending on whether they’re on a tree trunk or leaf — a clever camouflage against predators.

The ZooLab visit was an incredible opportunity for the children to get up close and personal with some of the world’s most remarkable creatures. From handling animals to learning about their adaptations and survival strategies, the session was a brilliant way to bring science to life — and judging by the excitement in the room, it’s safe to say this was a highlight of Science Week!