Conservation Status: Least Concern
Species: Tarantula
The Sanctuary is home to one Costa Rican Zebra Tarantula, who came to us from the RSPCA rehoming centre.
Our Reptile House is home to an amazing variety of crucially important species
From spiders to snakes, our range of amazing reptiles and invertebrates will keep you captivated. Come to one of our inspiring animal carer talks to find out which of our invertebrates has more hairs than a lion!
Costa Rican Zebra Tarantula
Malagasy Hissing Cockroach
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Species: Invertebrate
These insects are armoured little individuals which recycle leaf litter and other waste from the forest floor, making the nutrients accessible for further plant growth. They have an effective deterrent warning sound which sounds just like a snake’s hiss …come and listen!
Macleay’s Spectre
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Species: Invertebrates
Macleay’s spectre is a large species of Australian Stick insect, endemic to the rainforests in Australia. Around the globe, insects are vital for pollination, recycling and as a food source and without them, life on earth would crumble. Come and meet our vibrantly-coloured masters of disguise and be amazed at their beauty.
Zuri & Hogan
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Species: Royal Python
The Royal Python is native to West and Central Africa, where it lives in grasslands, shrublands and open forests. This nonvenomous constrictor is the smallest of the African pythons, growing to a maximum length of 182 cm. Donated by a private sponsor, Zuri is helping us to engage public interest and promote positive and responsible pet care.
Lady Hiss
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Species: Corn Snake
Lady Hiss is a Corn Snake and sadly she was an unwanted pet who came to us via a rescue centre. Along with our pythons, Lady Hiss helps our public engage with responsible pet care and ownership. Corn snakes are found in grassland areas throughout central and south-east America.
Lucy
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Species: Standing’s Day Gecko
Standing’s Day Geckos are sweet little animals that communicate by body posture and a range of squeaks, clicks and croaks very similar to that of frogs. This species is found only in south-west Madagascar.
Rocco
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Species: Spur-thighed Tortoise
We believe that Rocco hatched in 1958, making him the Sanctuary’s oldest resident! Rocco is, according to our Animal Care Team, the fastest tortoise in the world, and he lives in a separate part of our tortoise habitat to our females.
Matteo
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Species: Spur-thighed Tortoise
Matteo hatched in 1991. She came to live at our Sanctuary when she was donated by a private owner, and has since lived alongside our male tortoise Rocco for many years. In 2024, Matteo was joined by two new female companions: Shelly and Toby.
Shelly
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Species: Hermann’s tortoise
Shelly hatched in June 2003, and has lived alongside Toby for many years. Both tortoises came into our care when their previous owner could no longer look after them, and they now live with our resident female, Matteo. We were delighted to provide a loving home to Shelly and Toby, where they can be safe and happy for years to come!
Toby
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Species: Spur-thighed Tortoise
Toby hatched in July 2010, and grew up with her companion Shelly. Both tortoises came into our care when their previous owner could no longer look after them, and they now live with our resident female, Matteo. Our Animal Carers report that Toby and Shelly are very active tortoises, and have a healthy appetite to match!
Olga
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Species: Horsefield’s Tortoise
Olga arrived at our Sanctuary in 2025. She came to us when her previous owners could no longer care for her, and we will be introducing her to our other female tortoises, Matteo, Shelly and Toby, once her isolation period ends. In the meantime, she is settling in to her temporary home at our Education Centre!
Dark Fury
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Species: Rankins Dragon
Our Rankins Dragon, Dark Fury, came to us from Northumberland Zoo.
Sociable and docile, Rankins Dragons are endemic to Queensland, Australia. A sub-species of the more familiar bearded dragons, they share many of the same characteristics and behaviors like head bobbing and arm waving. They have a lifespan of about 8 years and are omnivorous feeding on insects and plants.
She enjoys climbing on branches but also enjoys a runaround. You may occasionally see Dark Fury having a run in the tortoise enclosure for a bit of exercise and enrichment.
Sial
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Species: Leopard Gecko
Native to dry semi-desert areas of the middle East and Northwest India, leopard geckos get their name from the natural coloration of yellow with irregular black spots. Due to their popularity as pets, they are often selectively bred in captivity to produce other colours. Our female Sial is a pink colour morph. Leopard geckos are mainly nocturnal and spend most of their day hiding under their favourite rock or log, so it is unlikely you will see them unless they are being handled by our animal carers in our daily reptile encounter sessions!
Zeus
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Species: Inland (aka Central) Bearded dragon
Zeus is a male bearded dragon. He was a pet that needed a forever home when his old owners were no longer able to care for him, so he arrived at the Sanctuary in 2023. Bearded dragons have an average lifespan of 10-15 years under human care, so are a long-term commitment.
Bearded dragons are omnivores, so Zeus is fed a variety of vegetation as well as insects and he has a very healthy appetite! Zeus is also quite speedy, as bearded dragons can reach speeds of up to 9mph, so we have to keep a close eye on him when he’s out for exercise!
Endemic to Australia, bearded dragons are semi-arboreal (good at climbing and like to bask up high) but also use burrows to hide / cool down / lay their eggs. Males are solitary animals that will fight each other, whereas females can be more social.
Bearded dragons rely on their expressive body language and posturing to communicate, including waving (a sign of submission) and head bobbing (either flirting or dominance depending on who it’s directed at!).