Tails, Claws and Scales: New Animal Arrivals
Get ready to meet some of the newest members of the Dearne Valley College Animal Care family!
We’re thrilled to introduce our incredible new animal residents, representing a diverse range of species from around the globe.
Let’s start with our shelled superstars
Meet Colin
Colin, the Western Common Turtle, has a dual-purpose habitat: A basking platform and a lush pond.
He favours the pond’s sheltered environment, where he can seek cover among the plants and other foliage.
Meet Gary and Percy
Gary and Percy are our dynamic Chinese Yellow-Bellied Sliders! With their distinctive olive-green shells and vibrant yellow undersides, they’re a sight to behold.
These agile swimmers are true underwater masters, capable of holding their breath for an astonishing hour!
Meet our frogs
Get ready to meet Buddy
Our pint-sized African bullfrog with a giant personality! Right now, he’s just the size of a ping pong ball, but don’t let his current size fool you. Buddy will eventually balloon to a whopping 9-10 inches and weigh up to 4 pounds!
As a burrowing creature, he loves to get under his substrate and cocoon, so most of the year, you’ll find him cleverly concealed within his enclosure.
Kevin, Perry, Derek, and Keith, our quartet of newly arrived Tree Frogs!
These miniature masters of camouflage are experts at disappearing into their terrarium. Their remarkable toe pads, like tiny suction cups, allow them to cling to any surface, from the smoothest glass to the most delicate leaf. Combined with their vibrant, suitably camouflaged skin, it means they blend seamlessly into the lush foliage.
Prepare for a thrilling game of hide-and-seek – these elusive amphibians are guaranteed to keep you searching!
Last but certainly not least we have some new reptiles!
Prepare to be mesmerised by Bongo
Our newest and most captivating resident at Dearne – A stunning chameleon! This extraordinary creature isn’t just a master of disguise; Bongo’s colour changes are a window into its world.
Did you know these remarkable transformations reflect not only its surroundings but also its emotions?
Bongo can use this vibrant palette to communicate with other chameleons and even to fine-tune its body temperature. Every shift in hue tells a story, making Bongo a truly fascinating addition.
Meet Toothless
So, we have Toothless the Muddy Eyed Crocodile Skink, the name crocodile skink refers to their spiny appearance, much like a miniature crocodile!
Toothless can be elusive to spot, due to his natural camouflage against earthy substrates, mixed with how small he is means he can be very hard to spot in his enclosure.
Bagheera the Blue Tongued Skink
Like other reptile species, a Blue Tongued Skink has a Jacobson’s organ in the roof of their mouth. Which means they will stick out their tongue to pick up scent particles in the air or from the surface of objects.
They will then bring those particles into their mouth to the Jacobson’s organ, which will process the information from the scents!
We have Bonnie and Clyde the Emerald Swifts
These reptiles get their common name because of the magnificent bright green and blue coloration exhibited by mature males.
The mature male and females have different colours, so the mature male will develop brighter green and blue, the mature females will be greyer with green hues throughout.
To wrap things up, meet Oggi, the Hognose Snake!
Their distinctive upturned snout, resembling a pig’s nose, isn’t just adorable – it’s a powerful tool for burrowing through sand and soil.
Hognose snakes are also known for their theatrical defence mechanisms. When startled, they may inflate their bodies, hiss dramatically, and even feign death in a convincing (but harmless!) performance designed to deter predators.
There’s something for everyone!
We’re incredibly excited to welcome these captivating reptiles and amphibians to our college! Their arrival marks a significant expansion of our animal care program, offering students an unparalleled opportunity to explore the wonders of herpetology.
Whether you’re captivated by the emerald swifts’ vibrant colours or fascinated by the hognose’s unique behaviours, there’s something for everyone to discover.