Below are a selection of locations that we are visiting in June, please check with each venue for times and ticket information. West Fife Show, Cowdenbeath - 1st June IWM Duxford, Cambridge - 1st and 2nd June Natural History Museum, London - 15th June Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Newcastle upon Tyne - 15th and 16th June Big Bang Fair, Birmingham - 19th - 21st June Floors Castle, Kelso - 29th June Sterling Mills, Tillicoultry - 29th - 30th June

Brazil is home to a whole host of amazing animals. 70% of the world's animal and plant species live there! Here are some of our favourites... 1. Jaguar Brazil is home to the largest population of Jaguars in the world. These majestic big cats roam the Amazon rainforest and the Pantanal wetlands, preying on a variety of animals including capybaras, caimans, and tapirs. 2. Amazon River Dolphin Brazil's Amazon River is inhabited by the enchanting pink river dolphin, also known as the boto. These freshwater dolphins are known for their unique pink coloration and are highly intelligent, often interacting playfully with humans and other species. 3. Hyacinth Macaw The Hyacinth Macaw, the largest species of parrot in the world, is native to Brazil's Pantanal region. These striking blue birds are known for their impressive size and vibrant plumage, and they play a vital role in seed dispersal throughout the rainforest. 4. Golden Lion Tamarin Endemic to the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, the Golden Lion Tamarin is a small, critically endangered monkey known for its bright orange fur and distinct facial features. Conservation efforts have been crucial in protecting and restoring its habitat. 5. Giant Anteater The Pantanal is home to the Giant Anteater, the largest of its kind. With its long snout and distinctive bushy tail, this insectivorous mammal roams grasslands and forests, using its powerful claws to tear open termite mounds and ant nests. 6. Toucans Brazil boasts an incredible diversity of toucan species, including the iconic Keel-Billed Toucan and the Fiery-Billed Aracari. These colorful birds with their large, vibrant bills play essential roles in seed dispersal and forest ecology. 7. Harpy Eagle The Harpy Eagle, one of the largest and most powerful eagles in the world, inhabits the forests of Brazil, particularly the Amazon rainforest. With its imposing size and fierce talons, it preys on a variety of animals, including monkeys and sloths. 8. Capuchin Monkeys Brazil is home to several species of capuchin monkeys, including the robust capuchin and the black-striped capuchin. These highly intelligent primates are known for their tool-using abilities and complex social structures. 9. Green Anaconda The Amazon Basin in Brazil is home to the green anaconda, the largest snake species by weight. These powerful constrictors can reach lengths of over 20 feet and are apex predators in their aquatic habitats, feeding on fish, birds, and mammals. 10. Goliath Bird-Eating Spider Found in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest, the Goliath bird-eating spider is the world's largest spider by mass and size. Despite its intimidating name, it primarily preys on insects, small reptiles, and amphibians, rarely targeting birds. We hope you have enjoyed our facts about Brazil.

Have you recently seen a ZooLab show? Are you interested in one of the animals you saw and now you are thinking of keeping your own exotic animal? Here are some tips and things to think about before getting your first exotic pet! Ditto the Leopard Gecko basking under his basking bulb and UVB What is an exotic animal and do they make good pets? Exotic animals are commonly kept all over the UK, but what qualifies as an exotic animal? Exotic pets are typically an animal that isn’t as readily available as something like a dog or a cat. They are not domesticated animals and still show behaviours that would be exhibited in the wild. They are generally seen as an animal which you’re more likely to see in a zoo. However, not all exotic animals have to be seen and cared for in a zoo! This can be done in the comfort of your own home and with the correct research and care practices they can thrive. Do they make good pets though? Yes absolutely, but it's important to find a species that suits your lifestyle and schedule. Do exotic animals make good first time pets for children? With help alongside a trusted adult, reptiles and other exotic animals can make a good first time pet for a child. However, It is important to do extensive research into the animals' needs as a lot of exotic animals require things like UVB and heat bulbs which aren’t necessary for something like a dog or a cat. Whether a reptile or small mammal is your animal of choice, all handling and feeding should be supervised by an adult to ensure the safety of the animal and child. With any animal, it shouldn’t be solely placed on the child to look after it but helping out with cleaning, giving water and feeding can be very beneficial to children as it can help them learn about animal needs and care requirements. Bioactive Whites Tree Frog 3ft tall enclosure Where do you get exotic pets? A common question that ZooLab rangers get is “How do you find somewhere to get an animal like this from?” Here at ZooLab we do our best to take in animals that can’t be cared for anymore or need a good home. Reptile and exotic animal rescues are usually at full capacity and need responsible keepers to give them a loving place to live. Getting a rescue doesn’t necessarily mean rehabilitation, most of the time reptiles are handed to rescues due to unforeseen circumstances that cannot be controlled by the previous owner. Local reputable breeders are also a good place to source exotic animals from as you can meet the parents of the animal to check that the temperament and health are what you are looking for. Watch out for backyard breeders though and make sure you do lots of research so you can spot the signs of a sick or unhealthy animal. Pet shops do sell exotic animals too, but going to exotic or reptile specific stores means that the staff are more likely to be knowledgeable about the animal and help you provide the best care. What does the upkeep and cost look like for an exotic animal? While the animal itself can appear affordable to some, that doesn't mean that the set up will be too. Making sure that you have the correct equipment can be expensive but it's necessary for the animal to live a long and happy life. Vet visits can also be on the more costly side too as you must go to exotic specific vets. It's important to make sure that you have an exotic vet in your area before bringing the animal home. Once your setup is perfected, reptiles don’t need too much day to day maintenance! Daily spot cleaning, changing water bowls and feeding when necessary is what's to be expected when keeping one in your home. You must look into the lifespan of your exotic pet though as some reptiles, for example, tortoises can live over 100 years in some cases! So putting a plan in place for the animal if it outlives you is very important. Calcifer the Corn snake's 4ft enclosure What exotic animal should I get as a first time owner? Primates, Birds of prey, Big cats and Venomous snakes do not make good pets and shouldn’t be housed by the average person. These animals need advanced husbandry, knowledge and experience. They can even pose a danger to you and others. So what is a “beginner” exotic animal? No pet is necessarily a beginner animal. They all have specific needs and care requirements so the first thing to look for when picking your first exotic animal is what interests you. Leopard geckos, Crested geckos, Royal pythons and Corn snakes are often recommended to first time reptile keepers. Mainly because there has been extensive research done on them over decades and they can handle mistakes quite well. However, if there is a species that interests you more than the commonly kept ones, there's no reason not to do research to see if that animal would suit your lifestyle and schedule. Common mistakes made by first time exotic pet keepers: Not using UVB for all your reptiles and amphibians - When we keep exotic pets we want to accurately mimic their natural habitat. Because they are cold blooded animals, in the wild they will use the sun to bask and warm themselves up. The sun will provide something called UltraViolet B also known as UVB. UVB is crucial for reptiles as it allows them to absorb calcium through their diet. If it is not provided, exotic animals can develop something called metabolic bone disease or MBD for short. This can impact the life expectancy of the animal and reduce quality of life. Only using one source for information about an animal - When researching an animal it's important to look up scientific studies, care guides and speak to professionals about how this animal should be cared for. Using one video or source found online isn't adequate as the information could be outdated. Always look out for companies' care guides that are selling and promoting a product as sometimes they may not have the reptile's best interest in mind. Choosing the wrong exotic pet for you - Some animals are commonly sold and may seem like the best choice for a first time reptile ie. Bearded Dragons and Chameleons. Bearded dragons may seem like a good choice for a reptile but it's important to understand that they need very high temperatures, high UVB levels, a varied omnivorous diet and lots of space. This is not something that is easy to achieve especially for a first time keeper. Bearded dragons need a minimum of a 4ft x 2ft x 2ft enclosure but a 6ft x 2ft x 2ft is recommended. This is a very big and expensive enclosure. Chameleons are a beautiful and popular pet but they are not animals that will take husbandry mistakes well. Chameleons have a complex list of needs like high humidity, good ventilation, insectivorous diet and lots of vertical space. They are also not always a handleable animal and are known to bite when approached. Never impulsively buy an animal because you like how it looks. Always research and prepare the enclosure before the animal comes home. Bearded Dragon enclosure We hope that we have helped inform you about keeping exotic animals as pets! If our rangers have time, we are always happy to talk about our experience keeping exotic animals and whether or not they would suit you.

Below are a selection of locations that we are visiting in April, please check with each venue for times and ticket information. Summerlee Museum, Coatbridge - 1st April Berhamsted Library, Berkhamsted -  3rd April North Watford Library, Watford -  3rd April. SOLD OUT Peckham Library, London - 3rd April Cockerton Library, Darlington - 4th April. SOLD OUT Darlington Library, Darlington - 4th April. SOLD OUT Dulwich Library, London - 4th April Margam Country Park, Neath Port Talbot - 4th April Michelham Priory, Hailsham - 4th, 11th and 12th April National Army Museum, London - 4th and 10th April Natural History Museum, London - 5th, 10th and 20th Hoddlesdon Library, Broxbourne - 5th April Welwyn Garden City Library - 5th April EK Shopping Centre, East Kilbride - 8th +12th April Museum of Oxford, Oxford - 8th April Cayton Bay, Scarborough - 14th April Weoley Castle, Birmingham - 20th April The British Library, London - 20th April Skipsea Sands, Yorkshire - 21st April Life Science Centre, Newcastle  - 26th April

Below are a selection of locations that we are visiting in March, please check with each venue for times and ticket information. Natural History Museum, London - 2nd and 16th March William Patrick Library, East Dunbartonshire - 2nd March . Biodiversity and Climate Crusaders Crieff Library, Perthshire - 23rd March. Climate Crusaders Perth A K Bell Library, Perthshire - 23rd March. Climate Crusaders Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire - 24th March Fully Charged Show at Excel London, London - 29th - 30th March. Summerlee Museum, North Lanarkshire - 29th March - 1st April

Below are a selection of locations that we are visiting in April, please check with each venue for times and ticket information. Energy Kidz, multiple venues and dates Fit For Sport , multiple venues and dates David Lloyd Clubs- Enfield , 4th April Berkeley Castle , 5th April Cheam Library, 5th April David Lloyd Clubs- Luton, 7th April Hammersmith Library, 8th April David Lloyd Clubs, 13th April Gainsborough Community Library, 14th April Geek Retreat Reigate, 14th April Stratford Parks, Avon Estates, 16th April National Army Museum, 24th April

Below are a selection of locations that we are visiting in April, please check with each venue for times and ticket information. Natural History Museum, London - 1st, 5th, 12th, 16th and 28th April Museum of Oxford, Oxford - 3rd April Wimbledon Museum, Wimbledon - 3rd and 4th April Aldermoor Library, Coventry - 4th April. Animal Explorer Bransholme Library, Hull - 4th April. Animal Explorer Coundon Library, Coventry - 4th April. Animal Explorer Freedom Centre Library, Hull- 4th April. Animal Explorer EK, East Kilbride - 8th and 15th April Greenwich Theatre, London - 6th April Peckham Rye Adventure Playground, London - 6th April. Animal Explorer Walsall Central Library, Walsall - 6th April Stratford Parks - Riverside, Stratford-upon-Avon - 8th April. Ben in the Glen Summerlee Museum, Coatbridge - 9th and 10th April Colindale Library, London - 11th April. Animal Explorer Moulton Library, Northampton - 13th April - SOLD OUT Hull Central Library, Hull - 14th April. Animal Explorer Watlington Library, Watlington - 19th April. Animal Explorer Life Science Centre, Newcastle - 21st April The British Library, London - 22nd April Weoley Castle, Birmingham - 22nd April

Below are a selection of locations that we are visiting in May, please check with each venue for times and ticket information. Largs Library, Largs - 3rd May. Zoo On The Broom Natural History Museum, London - 7th May, 20th May, 31st May and 1st June The Helix, Falkirk - 20th May Anxiety UK, Online - 23rd May. Muiravonside Country Park, Falkirk - 27th May Thinktank, Birmingham - 29th May - 2nd June . Climate Crusaders Scotney Castle, Tunbridge Wells - 30th May - 2nd June

Many primary age children naturally have a keen interest in animals; for me, it started with monkeys and dolphins. I chose them for school projects and read all about them in my spare time - it even briefly influenced my career choice (monkey poo was a big no-no to 8-year-old Sarah). As I got older, my interest grew; almost everything about the natural world fascinated me and still does today! At ZooLab, we see first-hand the benefits learning about and experiencing animals brings to the development of primary children in classroom and home settings. Here are a few of the advantages that our team has witnessed. Science There is a reason why animals are a large part of the Science national curriculum. Learning about other species helps us understand more about ourselves as humans and the world we live in. It teaches us about our similarities and differences to the rest of our animal cohorts - our body structure might be different, but we have the same basic needs for survival. They help us to learn about where we have come from and how we as a species adapted, evolved, and inherited to survive. We find that animal encounters help provide a memorable experience, particularly when learning about science. Animals help pupils get close to many curricular topics, providing a great learning hook to discover more. It stimulates pupil curiosity and encourages questions while providing a foundation for future knowledge. Global Learning Did you know that we share Earth with an estimated 5.3 million - 1 trillion different species? Our planet is so diverse that it makes it impossible to give an exact amount - who knows what is left to be discovered! It is that endless possibility that keeps us fascinated! If your pupils are anything like us, they will love uncovering the diversity of our planet and all that lives there - from the depths of the Rainforest to the unforgiving polar regions. Learning about animal habitats is a great opening for pupils to explore different countries and continents. Environmental Impacts The pupils of today are the conservationists of tomorrow! Primary school pupils are more environmentally conscious and curious about climate change than we ever were growing up.  While teaching younger children about such a complex issue can seem daunting, a fantastic first step is to help instil an interest in nature and wildlife. Experiencing the great outdoors through bug hunts, nature walks, pond dipping or creating and monitoring a nature garden in the school grounds can help foster an early appreciation in protecting natural habitats (Clinton Foundation, 2015). Exposing children to the environment and teaching them about animals that live there helps children understand the importance of maintaining ecosystems to ensure that habitats have everything their inhabitants need to survive. Animals help us explore sustainability and what we can do to help reduce the effects of climate change. It encourages pupils to care about the bigger picture and can inspire behaviour change and citizenship. Communication Interaction with animals helps children develop interpersonal skills, encourage adherence to safety protocols and improve social conduct, especially as animals directly respond to behaviour (Poleshuck, 1997). We find that animals within the classroom can facilitate discussion between children and teachers, improve pupil self-confidence, language skills and make for a fantastic writing exercise. Having an animal to interact with can help children struggling with their schoolwork or home life, including children on the autistic spectrum. Animals increase the number of positive social interactions (Grigore and Bazgan, 2017). We often hear comments from teachers (more so in SEN settings) that they have never seen pupils as engaged, calm or gentle as when communicating with animals. Animals Help Us Become Better Humans Learning and interacting with animals from a young age helps us exhibit a range of positive traits including empathy, respect, responsibility, and stewardship. Daly and Morton found that pupils who have strong attachments to their pets measure higher empathy and social skills. This could largely be attributed to the fact that animals are non-judgemental - they allow children to practice relationships and respond to our emotions (Sack, 2014). Children learn to be patient and care for the needs of their companion while developing key skills that will help throughout their lives.

With members of our team about to volunteer in South Africa, it's only right that this is the next country to visit on our trip to discover animals around the world. 1) The big five If you ask someone to name one South African animal, chances are it will be a member of The Big Five - African bush elephants, African buffalo, rhinoceros, lions and leopards. Did you know? The term was coined by hunters for the five most dangerous and noteworthy kills. Safaris, tourism and conservation efforts have now adopted the phrase. 2) African penguins are nicknamed jackass They got the nickname due to their donkey-like honking vocalisations. It is thought that their language follows the same linguistic rules as humans! 3) The largest snake in South Africa is the southern African rock python They can grow to 5m, making them one of the largest snakes in the world. 4) Home to 175 species of scorpions Of the 175, only 22 are dangerous to humans, and 2 have caused fatalities. 5) Guided by the Milky Way Dung beetles use the Milky Way to help them roll poo in a straight line as they work at night. If they didn’t do this, they would risk circling back to the dung pile and having their ball stolen by competitors (find out more). 6) 16% of fish are endemic to the waters around South Africa One of which is the brown shyshark. When threatened, this species covers its eyes with its tail. 7) The social media star frog The desert rain frog has likely popped up on your feed due to it’s unique cry. Fun Fact - These frogs don’t hop; they walk. 8) The national animal of South Africa is the springbok The springbok can reach speeds of over 50mph. For perspective, Usain Bolts top speed is 27.33mph. 9) African fishing eagle This birds is symbolically known as the ‘voice of Africa’ and ‘keeper of the waters’ 10) South Africa has the largest population of rhinos in the world However, poaching is a huge issue. Kruger’s National Park rhino population has dropped by 60% since 2013.

We're back for another instalment in our animals throughout the world series! It’s Independence Day for the United States today! Americans are celebrating the signing of the Declaration of independence in 1776, which declared their country as its own, separate from the UK. To celebrate this, we’re counting down some of our favourite facts about the diverse range of animals that live in and around North America! 1) Bald Eagles have been the American national animal almost as long as the US has been a country It’s true! America became its own country in 1776 when the founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence, and the Bald Eagle was made the national animal just 6 years later in 1782! They’re featured on many US emblems, including the ‘Great Seal’ where its outspread wings signify the country’s strength. BONUS FACT: When you hear an eagle screech in TV and movies, it’s often not actually an eagle but a red-tailed hawk. Eagles actually make a series of high-pitched whistles. 2) Black Widow spiders have a pretty painful bite! There are 3 species of Black Widow spiders that live in the US. Famous for the coloured hourglass shape on the abdomens, they are rather painful biters with venom reportedly 15 times stronger than a rattlesnake’s. They get their name from a bizarre mating ritual in which they sometimes kill their mates after mating. 3) There’s a family of Catfish native to North America! The Ictaluridae are a family of catfish with around 51 different species! The most common of these is the Channel Catfish which is the national animal of several states including Nebraska and Tennessee. The Channel Catfish can also secrete different chemicals and pheromones to help communicate with other catfish and have special cells to detect these chemicals! 4) Rattlesnakes aren’t just found in the wild west. Rattlesnakes are a staple of the American wild west, but the Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake is considered a generalist when it comes to habitat – they live in desserts, grassy plains, and even beaches. Rattlesnakes get their names from the rattling sound their tails make – their tails are made up of hard rings of keratin which they can shake back and forth up to 90 times per second. 5) One of the most endangered seal species lives in Hawaii Hawaii has been part of the United States since 1959 and the Hawaiian Monk Seal lives in Hawaii’s waters. Populations are at one third of historic levels and there are only around 1,570 left in the wild. They don’t tend to migrate seasonally, but some have been known to travel hundreds of miles into open ocean. 6) A US president helped save bison populations in America. Ex-President Theodore Roosevelt used to be an avid hunter and travelled in 1883 to the Dakota Territory to hunt bison. After seeing the dwindling numbers of bison, he returned with a drive to improve the numbers across the US. He helped to found the American Bison Society and, in tun, numbers have been rising ever since! 7) Raccoons don’t wash their food before eating. No American suburb is complete without a raccoon or two rifling through the trash cans. They’re opportunistic scavengers, feeding off of food scraps from rubbish in city settings and anything from seeds to bird eggs in the wild. What is most interesting is that they often dip their food in water before eating. You might think that this is to clean the food, but it’s actually to soften the callouses on their hands to better feel their food. By doing this, they can learn how to identify and find the food in the wild a whole lot easier. 8) Brown Bears are big fish eaters. Brown Bears love to hibernate through the chilly North American winters, and they need plenty of fat storage to sustain them through this period. In aid of this, they eat lots of Alaskan Salmon. Brown Bears, usually solitary, will sometimes gather in the autumn in large groups at Alaskan fishing spots to graze on the salmon swimming upstream to mate. These bears will need to eat around 90lbs (40kg) of salmon to see them through their hibernation. 9) Lasagna Lizards and Snot Otters are real! It sounds weird but they are totally real! They’re both nicknames for the Salamander, which live under rocks in streams across the US. The Americas are actually home to more species of salamander than the rest of the world and there are around 600 species worldwide. Some species spend the majority of their lives underwater and breathe oxygen through a membrane that covers their skin. 10. Beavers have great teeth! Beavers are well known for gnawing away at trees to build their dams. Their teeth are actually dark orange due to a protective coating and grow constantly throughout their life. They are worn down through daily use and are so sharp that they can cleave a willow the size of a human finger in one bite. Pretty strong gnashers, eh?! What a list! Which one surprised you the most? Let us know down below and Happy 4th of July to all who celebrate!

Along the equator, a large area of our world is covered in tropical rainforests. Many countries are home to these diverse habitats. From Fiji to Australia, South and Central America and across Africa, these rainforests can be found anywhere the climate is suitable. The Amazon is the largest, most famous, and it is the focus of most research. As World Rainforest Day approaches on the 22nd of June, join us as we explore some of the interesting facts about these unique places. It is Lively Due to only existing between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, tropical rainforests cover less than 3% of the planet. Despite this, they are home to a large percentage of the world's animal and plant life. In the Amazon alone there are 40,000 plant species, 4730 animal species and an impressive 2.5 million insect species. Endangered animals like golden lion tamarin, jaguars, blue macaw and poison dart frogs all call these rainforests home too. It is one busy ecosystem. It is Crowded The Amazon is estimated to be home to nearly 400 billion individual trees, and other rainforests can get just as dense. There are so many trees so close together that it can take up to 10 minutes for a raindrop to reach the ground. It is also estimated that only 2% of sunlight gets through to ground level in the busiest areas of trees. It is a Great Producer Many of the plants we eat, use or make things from originally come from tropical rainforests. Food like pineapples, cinnamon and vanilla all come from these areas of the world. Not forgetting chocolate which comes from tropical cocoa beans. But these aren’t the only important plants found in rainforests. It is thought that 75% of the medicines we regularly use are made from tropical plants. Whether it is for the joints, the muscles or the organs, you can bet the rainforest has a plant which can be developed to help. It is Essential Tropical rainforests are important to keeping our world healthy. The rainforest helps out both our water supplies and the planet’s oxygen levels. Rainforests are essential to keep our water clean and fresh. They act as a natural filter and stop debris and pollution from getting into the water supply. It is estimated that 15% of the fresh water in the world flows from the Amazon Basin. The trees in the rainforest are also important for creating oxygen. They convert the carbon dioxide in the air into oxygen for us to breathe and act as the lungs of the world. 20% of all the oxygen we breathe is produced by tropical rainforests. It is Disappearing Despite the importance to our wildlife and the earth, tropical rainforests have been disappearing for years. This is due to a process called deforestation. Over 100 million hectares of tropical rainforest are destroyed each year and it has been suggested that 17% of the Amazon has already been lost. Many charities are trying to do their best to save the rainforests. It is essential for us, our wildlife and our planet that this important ecosystem is taken care of.