Deadly Days Out

Very exciting news to all of those keen to meet the bugs (and me) in the real world, I will be one of four animal encounter people working the Deadly Days Out tour this year. Events are held on Sundays, with last week's (my first) at Lydiard Park in Swindon. More details can be found on the BBC.

The Swindon day was great fun, with loads of live (and deadly) animals. Including this rather lovely Nile Crocodile that I am holding in my excellent bright yellow animal encounter hoodie. Wowing the crowds we had Xena (the Goliath Birdeater), Indiana (the Whip Scorpion), Marjorie (the Diapherodes gigantea stick insect) and a couple of hissing roaches called Mr. & Mrs. C.

I also got to meet the brilliant Jungle Jonathan and catch up again with Pete the Bugman as well as getting to say hello to the legendary Steve Backshall.

At this weekend in Glasgow the newest member of the Bug Explorers Bug House will almost certainly be making an appearance. Talulah, The Antilles Pink-Toe (Avicularia avicularia) as you can see below from the picture with Mrs. Jim, she's a gorgeous arboreal spider with lovely orangey-pink toes. Come say hello in Glasgow (or another Deadly Day Out soon)!