Valley Wildlife

Meet Our Animals

1. Bearded Dragon

   Bearded dragons are omnivores. They eat a mix of insects, vegetables, fruits, and occasionally small vertebrates like tiny lizards. True to their name, they have a 'beard' under their chin, which is actually a spiny pouch called a 'dewlap.'

2. Black Nose Sheep

   The Black Nose sheep originates from the Valais region of Switzerland. They are recognisable by their distinctive black faces which are set off by the white curls of their wool.

3. Blue Iguana

   The Blue Iguana is one of the longest-living species of lizard (possibly up to 69 years). They are a protected species, found only in Grand Cayman and are classified as endangered.

4. Brutus the Armadillo

   Armadillos are closely related to anteaters and have a long, sticky tongue which is used for fishing out ants and termites, just like their cousin anteaters!

5. Burmese Python

   Burmese pythons are among the largest snakes on Earth. They are capable of reaching 23 feet (7 meters) or more in length and weighing up to 200 pounds (90 kilograms) with a girth as big as a telephone pole.

6. Day Gecko

   Brightly coloured giant day geckos are native to eastern Madagascar. Their feet have special pads that let them climb smooth surfaces, even glass.

7. Great Grey Owl

   The Great Grey Owl is one of the largest owls in the world. They are powerful birds and can break through hard packed snow to hunt prey in their natural habitat.

8. Guinea Pigs

   Guinea pigs are small, sociable and 'chatty' rodents. They're traditionally thought of as great first pets for children.

9. Harvest Mice

   Harvest Mice are currently classified as near threatened throughout the UK. The harvest mouse is the only British mammal to have a prehensile tail: it can use it like a fifth limb, holding on to grass stems with it.

10. Llamas

    Llama were bred by the ancient Incas in South America as 'draft' animals to carry goods over many miles. Llama are a member of the camelid family and are closely related to Alpaca and Camels.

11. Meerkat

    Meerkats live in the deserts and grasslands of the southern tip of Africa. They are insectivores but will also eat lizards, scorpions, snakes, spiders, millipedes and centipedes

12. Moluccan Cockatoos

    Moluccan Cockatoos are native to the Moluccas archipelago in eastern Indonesia. They are one of the loudest bird species on Earth, with an average decibel range of 120-135, which is louder than a concert.

13. Prairie Dogs

    Prairie Dogs were once widespread throughout North America, covering more than 100 milion hectares — this is twice the size of Greenland. They're closely related to ground squirrels and chipmunks, although they are a bit bigger.

14. Raccoon

    Racoons can swim, climb well and run at speeds of 15mph! They're extremely intelligent — they can solve detailed problems and remember the solution for up to three years.

15. Reindeer

    Reindeer is the European name for the species. In North America. they are known as Caribou. Both male and female reindeer grow antlers which they shed every year and then re-grow. 

16. Striped Skunk

    The Striped Skunk gets its name from the Latin word 'mephit' which translates as 'bad odour.' They defend themselves with a spray (musk) that can be sprayed over three metres and carry a smell for 1.5 miles.

17. Tortoise

    Two species of tortoise live at Valley Wildlife — leopard and sulcata. Sulcata are an endangered species of tortoise inhabiting the southern edge of the Sahara Desert. Leopard are found in the savannas of eastern and southern Africa. 

18. Vietnamese Pheasant

    Vietnamese Pheasants are currently classified as Critically Endangered and are believed to be extinct in the wild. This elusive bird hasn't been seen in Central Vietnam's dense, evergreen forests in over 25 years!