Pre-Prep had an exotic treat this week, when Zoolab came to Farleigh. Creatures from the rainforest and the desert came slithering, sliding and pattering out of their boxes to see us.

We met Gary, the giant snail with 10,000 teeth (more than a shark!) and Norbert, the gecko, with his spots, sticky feet and velvety skin, who can shed his tail under attack and then grow a new one! We also met Franklin, the large corn snake, with smooth, cold skin, who can slip through the grasses undetected and has and a habit of squeezing things. Lastly, we marvelled at Sugarplum, the soon-to-be-pink young, furry tarantula who can smell through her hairs, and Jenny, the tree frog who blinks hard to swallow her food… This might catch on in the dining room!

We all learned some fascinating facts about what it takes to survive in different environments and the ingenious ways that nature helps the creatures to adapt. Nearly all the children held at least one of the animals and most of them held ALL of them - except for Sugarplum, the tarantula, who thought the children looked terrifying and was happier just waving from the safety of her tank!