Discover Animals from the Rainforests of

Yellow Spotted Amazon River Turtle. Photo (c) Stratford Butterfly Farm.

Discover animals from the rainforests of Central America at Stratford Butterfly Farm, this half term, 27 May to 4 June.

Preview by Tanya Aspinwall

Visitors to Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm during half term from 27 May – 4 June can see the newly opened Rainforest Realm, an exciting display linking the Butterfly Farm to the rainforests of Belize and the ancient Maya civilisation.

At the heart of Rainforest Realm is a cenote which features ‘Kenny’ the Spectacled Caiman along with other animals that originate from the rainforests of Central America. These include an Emerald Tree Boa Snake, 10 endangered Orange Blackfoot Dart Frogs, 3 Basilisk Lizards, 3 Baby Yellow Spotted Amazon River Turtles and a Oustalets Chameleon from Madagascar.

The 3 baby River Turtles are growing rapidly and when big enough, will live alongside ‘Kenny’ in the Cenote. The Turtles are native to the tributaries of the Amazon and Northern South America and are one of the largest freshwater turtles in South America growing up to 60cm long. They are omnivores with their diet consisting of both plant matter and small insects. They typically live for around 25 years; however, some individuals have been known to reach 70! Their conservation status is regarded as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Kenny the Camen. Photo (c) Stratford Butterfly Farm.

Meet the Mini-Beast handling sessions and Butterfly Life-Cycle demonstrations will take place daily at 11am in the Discovery Zone. The team of experts will demonstrate the amazing stages of the butterfly life cycle from egg through to adult as well as opportunities to handle a variety of stick insects. A Pupae Preparation demonstration will take place at 11am on Wednesday 1 June. The whole family can find out how the pupae are transported from butterfly farmers in the tropics to its arrival at Stratford Butterfly Farm and preparation for the Emerging Case. (Handling and demonstrations are not available on Bank Holiday Monday and are subject to change depending on availability and the welfare of the animals).

One of many tropical butterflies. Photo (c) Rob Tysall.

Jane Kendrick, Marketing Manager at Stratford Butterfly Farm said, “We were thrilled to open Rainforest Realm in March, which has proved incredibly popular with our visitors. Kenny has settled in well in his magnificent new home along with our new Central American inhabitants. Along with our new arrivals, plus hundreds of spectacular butterflies, Meet the Mini beast handling sessions and Butterfly Life-Cycle demonstrations, we have plenty for all the family to enjoy this Half-Term!”

For details admission prices etc please visit: www.butterflyfarm.co.uk or telephone 01789 299288.