Animal Ark – Reptiles, Amphibians and Minibeasts

Animal Ark offer unique hands-on sessions with tame and friendly reptiles, amphibians and mini beasts, in the familiar surroundings of the classroom.

Supporting the Australian National Curriculum each session is tailored to the target age group and can be adapted to a range of lessons, be it the natural world, science or society and environment. Animal Ark sessions can support a wide variety of topics for example reptiles, minibeasts, basic needs and habitats, life cycles, food chains, classification, adaptation, the environment, ecosystems, biodiversity and sustainability, conservation and evolution.

Each and every student is offered the opportunity to get closer to nature. We learn together by looking, touching and holding. Animals that visit include Snowflake the blue-tongued lizard, Jet the black-headed python, Freddy the green tree frog and Twiggy the stick insect.

Your class will also get the chance to examine an amazing range of natural artefacts from sea shells to seed pods and dinosaur pooh, fossilized (thankfully), real skulls and bones. So much more than just reptile education.

Read our frequently asked questions below for more information or contact us if you have other questions.

It’s your chance to LET OUR LITTLE CREATURES MEET YOURS!

Fees

Minimum booking fee: $1,200 + gst (equivalent to 3 sessions – additional sessions at $450 + gst each, Perth metro)

Maximum pupils per session: 30
Maximum sessions per day: 6
Session duration: 50 mins to 1 hour

(for outer Perth and country areas a mileage fee will apply.)

You may also be interested in our Snake Awareness and Basic First Aid Incursions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe?

We have been teaching using these Roadshows with animals for over 25 years – 20 years in the UK and since 2006 here in Australia. We do not bring any dangerous animals into schools, so no crocodiles or tiger snakes, unless requested! We bring only tame and friendly pet reptiles, amphibians and creepy crawlies and they are used to being handled. We hold the relevant Regulation 16 License to perform this visiting service. David Manning has been Police Checked for working with children, is insured, and licensed to keep native fauna for education and public display.

What about Hygiene?

These creatures are surprisingly clean and all students and teachers are asked to wash hands after each session. We usually have soap free antiseptic hand wash available as well.

How will the children and teachers respond?

The kids just love it, although sometimes a teacher or two needs convincing before having a python around the neck or holding that squishy frog. We make it fun, and we make it optional, so no one is pressured to actually touch or hold the creatures. But almost everyone joins in, looks, interacts, asks questions and learns.

Do you offer accompanying science support material?

We sure do. Once booked we can email a PDF of information covering science topics like: Life cycles, Habitats, Backyard Wildlife, Diet. Or just let us know if you have specific topics you would like us to cover. Have a look at Teacher Resources for more information too.

Do the teachers get involved?

Only if they want to. We and the children especially like it when the Principal pops in to look at the lizards, or when teachers show the children how confident they are around native wildlife!

Can parents participate?

One or two extra helpers enhance the shows hugely. We encourage the interaction and learning experience for everyone, so a few parents are welcome to join in.

What about allergies?

I myself am allergic to fur and feathers and as an asthmatic I was drawn to these creatures as pets because they are considered pretty much hypoallergenic.

Why don’t we just go to a wildlife park?

You can, but there’s the bus hire, the packed lunches, the extra insurances, health and safety and all that hassle. We bring the animals to you, in the pupils familiar surroundings.

What we do.

Each session starts with a brief introduction of the animals and other items we bring along. We then rotate groups of children around the different creatures so everyone gets to see and meet them all.

How we like to do it.

We like to be set up in one place for the day. A hall, library or spare classroom is ideal. We do not necessarily need tables and can perform on the floor, but ideally we like tables and chairs set up in 3 blocks, each able to seat 10. Two tables at the front are adequate for our props and cages.

Each session lasts approximately 50 minutes but can easily be extended if timetable permits. Each group should be around 30, however, if you only have 20 in a group the kids get even more out of it.

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