Zoolab at Battle Abbey School

Head teacher Jude Clark said: "The children, including Nursery, were divided, by year, into 4 groups and each had an hour with Chris and his animals.

"He started each session by setting out a few simple rules '“ be quiet, stay in your seats and be sure to wash your hands as soon as you leave the room!

"Chris had brought with him Brian the Giant African Land Snail, Jimmy the Madagascan Hissing Cockroach, Bobby the Domestic Rat, Toby the Giant Toad, Jake the Corn Snake, Randall the Salamander, Rosie the Tarantula and a Goliath Bird Eating Spider." With the exception of the two spiders that stayed in their aquariums, all the animals were available to be touched or held.

All of the children were given the opportunity to touch or hold all the animals so there were no worries about being left out.

"Chris was very careful that no-one felt threatened by the animals and pupils didn't have to do anything that they didn't want to do.

"When Toby the Giant Toad was having his tummy massage he was totally relaxed with head back and legs akimbo! Apparently, some of this species will actually start to sing when having their tummy massaged!

"As each animal came out of its box, Chris talked about their habitats, their eating habits, camouflage and other points of interest. As he went around the group he answered the children's questions. He also discussed animal classification, covering the 5 groups of vertebrates and various categories of invertebrates.

"This was a fantastic opportunity for us to look at and handle animals that most of us had not even seen before. Also, many of us surprised ourselves by handling these animals - a small step taken with a bit of encouragement and a safe, non-threatening situation."