Snakes Alive at the King's School

SNAKES and lizards were just some of the unusual visitors at King s Acremont in Ely on Friday. Mitch Price, from Cambridge-based Reptile Experience, and Terri Page, a falconer from the Raptor Foundation at St Ives, visited the school as part of a Scien

SNAKES and lizards were just some of the unusual visitors at King's Acremont in Ely on Friday.

Mitch Price, from Cambridge-based Reptile Experience, and Terri Page, a falconer from the Raptor Foundation at St Ives, visited the school as part of a Science Day.

The children got the chance to learn about the life-cycles of reptiles and had the opportunity to take a close look at a tarantula, a scorpion, a blue-tongued skink, a bearded dragon, a tortoise, a chameleon, a royal python and a milk snake.

The milk snake, with its red, white and black colouring, was a favourite with the reception class.

The snake originates in Mexico and got its name because cow sheds are a favourite habitat.

Terri Page brought along Basil, a burrowing owl from America; Goliath, a white-faced scops owl from Africa; Jules, a barn owl; and Ben, a European eagle owl.

"I was very impressed with the questions the children asked. They were such a confident group," she said, "and because it was such a warm and sunny day we were able to take the birds outside into the school's big garden which was a bonus."

Dr Lynda Brereton, head of King's Acremont, said: "The children were fascinated by everything they got the chance to experience during the day.