What is Amazoneia?
It is a new tropical-themed visitor attraction where you can see all sorts of exotic animals in a rainforest setting. It is a hot, humid environment, with trees, plants and even a river with fish. There is a log cabin where handling sessions are held at set times every day. Outside they have a huge play park and picnic tables.
What animals did you see?
Snakes, tarantulas, chameleons, stick insects, poison-arrow frogs, free- flying butterflies, a parrot and pygmy marmoset monkeys, which are the smallest living monkeys in the world.
We were lucky enough to visit a few days after twin monkeys had been born and were able to watch the family helping the mother out by taking it in turns to carry the babies on their backs between feeds.
Is it interesting for adults as well as children?
It was meant to be a treat for Saskia, but we had a great time, too. The guys who run it are so informative and know how to talk to children and get them interested, but equally they told us things we didn't know either.
They let us touch a snake, which was a big step for Paul who is terrified of them. They offered to let me hold a tarantula, but I declined. Having said that, I would definitely be interested in spending some more time there trying to overcome my fear of spiders.
Does it offer anything different from other wildlife attractions?
It's more intimate than other places we've been to. The owners spend a lot of time with visitors, teaching them about the animals and answering questions.
It's smaller than Edinburgh Zoo, so you could spend less time there if you wanted, but with the handling sessions, the big play park and picnic tables you can have a great day out. And your ticket is valid all day so you can come and go as you please.
How did Saskia enjoy it?
She loved it. The butterflies were her favourite. She was able to hold one on the end of her fingers. They have an incubator where you can see the cocoons and we saw a newly- hatched butterfly let out into the rainforest. She loved the play park as well.
What about mum and dad?
The monkeys were fascinating to watch and the chameleon was great fun. We saw it being fed a live cricket and it was amazing to see it stick out its long tongue and gobble the insect up.
It was really friendly and even climbed up one of the visitor's arms. We got the chance to touch it and it wasn't rough and scaly like you would expect. It was very soft and smooth.
Did you learn a lot?
The owners walk about talking to the visitors and seem to have an endless supply of interesting facts. They try to dispel myths about snakes and spiders, which helped both Paul and I with our fears.
We saw a tarantula's skin that had been shed, which included its body, legs, hairs and even the lenses that cover its eyes. Apparently every spider sheds its skin and when you find what looks like a dead spider in your house, there's a good chance it's just an old skin.
What was the family verdict?
We would definitely go back. It would be a great place to go for a birthday treat with a group of kids. The play park alone is almost worth coming in for. Saskia spent ages on the slides and swings and Paul and I were able to keep an eye on her while enjoying the sunshine. All in all, it was a great day out.
Details
01501 763746
Is it interesting for adults as well as children?
It was meant to be a treat for Saskia, but we had a great time, too. The guys who run it are so informative and know how to talk to children and get them interested, but equally they told us things we didn't know either.
They let us touch a snake, which was a big step for Paul who is terrified of them. They offered to let me hold a tarantula, but I declined. Having said that, I would definitely be interested in spending some more time there trying to overcome my fear of spiders.
Does it offer anything different from other wildlife attractions?
It's more intimate than other places we've been to. The owners spend a lot of time with visitors, teaching them about the animals and answering questions.
It's smaller than Edinburgh Zoo, so you could spend less time there if you wanted, but with the handling sessions, the big play park and picnic tables you can have a great day out. And your ticket is valid all day so you can come and go as you please.
How did Saskia enjoy it?
She loved it. The butterflies were her favourite. She was able to hold one on the end of her fingers. They have an incubator where you can see the cocoons and we saw a newly- hatched butterfly let out into the rainforest. She loved the play park as well.
What about mum and dad?
The monkeys were fascinating to watch and the chameleon was great fun. We saw it being fed a live cricket and it was amazing to see it stick out its long tongue and gobble the insect up.
It was really friendly and even climbed up one of the visitor's arms. We got the chance to touch it and it wasn't rough and scaly like you would expect. It was very soft and smooth.
Did you learn a lot?
The owners walk about talking to the visitors and seem to have an endless supply of interesting facts. They try to dispel myths about snakes and spiders, which helped both Paul and I with our fears.
We saw a tarantula's skin that had been shed, which included its body, legs, hairs and even the lenses that cover its eyes. Apparently every spider sheds its skin and when you find what looks like a dead spider in your house, there's a good chance it's just an old skin.
What was the family verdict?
We would definitely go back. It would be a great place to go for a birthday treat with a group of kids. The play park alone is almost worth coming in for. Saskia spent ages on the slides and swings and Paul and I were able to keep an eye on her while enjoying the sunshine. All in all, it was a great day out.
