2 minute read
Renegades: B-lizard warning from the Renegades
B-lizard warning from the Renegades!
Forget hip hop and jazz… the Renegades Youth Club just loves rap-tiles!
Advertisement
Of all the activities that the Renegades get to experience – from canoeing to carpentry – the one that has been a huge hit with the children has been Reptiles night, courtesy of Storrington herpetologist Drew Hicks. 17-year-old Drew brought her collection of pythons and a bearded dragon for the children to see and to carefully handle under her watchful supervision.
“It was a hot day so the reptiles were awake. Some of the more confident children, who were at ease with the creatures, helped those that were a bit unsure at first so that each child got to experience touching them. They were most surprised that the snakes, who are known for being slithery, are in fact warm and dry,” says Gareth Miller, Group Leader.
“Drew was so knowledgeable and so generous with her time and her creatures. She told the children all about each of them in turn and how to care for them,” says Gareth. “At one point, Mooncakes, her Albino Granite Burmese python, which is nearly seven feet long, was spread out across the children. They loved it!” The Burmese python is one of the largest non-venemous species of snakes.
Drew also showed the children how Pablo, the
bearded dragon, feeds. “She put a number of live locusts on the table and the children watched, spellbound, while Pablo caught and ate the insects. It was amazing to see how quickly it could move if it wanted to,” laughs Gareth. Bearded dragons, or ‘beardies’, are one of the most popular lizards in captivity and are so named because the underside of their throats can turn black or gain weight if they feel threatened. The other non-venemous pythons were Princess, Lucifer and Lilith – all Royal (Ball) pythons. The name refers to its tendency to curl into a ball when stressed or frightened. They grow to a maximum of six feet. The Renegades is still in need of a home, if anyone can help. “Ideally, we are looking for an existing building with a good amount of external space that we can refurbish, or a field where we can put up a green, off-grid building. If you have any ideas or thoughts, please get in touch with me on 07801 862550.”
The Renegades is a Registered Charity. Membership costs £10 a month. Please contact Gareth Miller on 07801 862550 or Damian Dixon on 07484 130189 for further information. Vanda Rumney
Photo Drew (in black T-shirt) shows the Renegades her 7-foot Albino Granite Burmese Python, Mooncakes
GORING ROAD CARPET CENTRE
01403
ALL YOU
PAY FOR ISTHE CARPET
Free fitting Free underlay Free grippers Free door bars Free delivery Free estimating
54 HIGH STREET, BILLINGSHURST, RH14 9NY
10 Wallace Parade, Goring Road, Worthing, BN12 4AL. Tel: 01903 700567 Warehouse/showroom: Unit 2, Nairn Business Centre, Artex Ave, Rustington BN16 3LN. Tel: 01903 773319
