REPTILES & INVERTEBRATES

This species of boa from Columbia, South America, feeds mainly on birds, lizards and small mammals. They are nocturnal reptiles, foraging for food at night. The name 'rainbow' boa is a reference to the iridescent quality of its scales when seen in sunlight. This is caused by microscopic ridges on the scales that refract the light like miniature prisms. Adult rainbow boas grow to an average of 3.25 to 6.5 feet (1 to 2 m) in length. this reptile is partly arboreal (lives in trees).

This tarantula is the most commonly recognised of the spiders, living in the desert and semi-desert areas of Central America in burrows. In the wild these tarantulas would prey on insects and occasionally small vertebrates such as frogs and lizards. They are covered in sensitive hairs that pick up vibrations.

Did you know

A tarantula sheds its skin when it has become too small. After shedding it leaves the old skin behind, often fully intact, and almost looking like a second spider.

Leopard geckos inhabit desert areas of Pakistan and the Middle East. They are insectivorous and will eat any insects that they can catch. The leopard geckos tail acts as as energy reserve during periods of low food availability. If a predator attacks the tail, it breaks off at the base and allows the gecko to escape, albeit tail-less.

Did you know

Due to the leopard gecko's brain being situated at the front of it's skull it is possible to look through one ear opening and see daylight on the other side!