Get ready for an exciting new adventure — Reptiles and Creepy Crawlies have arrived at our aquarium! From slithering snakes and fascinating lizards to colourful frogs and mysterious spiders, this new exhibit brings you face-to-face with some of the planet’s most remarkable creatures.
Learn how these animals survive in the wild, discover their unique adaptations, and experience the thrill of seeing them up close. It’s an unforgettable addition to Bray that’s sure to amaze the whole family!
The Royal Python (Python regius), also known as the Ball Python, is a calm and fascinating snake native to the grasslands and forests of West and Central Africa. Known for its gentle temperament and beautiful patterns, it is one of the most popular pet snakes in the world. When threatened, it curls into a tight ball to protect itself, which is how it earned its common name.
The African Dwarf Clawed Frog (Hymenochirus spp.) is a small, fully aquatic amphibian native to the slow-moving rivers and wetlands of Central Africa. These peaceful frogs spend their lives underwater, using their webbed feet to swim gracefully and coming to the surface for air. Their curious personalities and easy-going nature make them a popular choice for freshwater aquariums.
Fun Fact: African Dwarf Clawed Frogs don’t have tongues or teeth—they use their tiny front feet to help push food into their mouths!
The Curly-Haired Tarantula is a gentle, fuzzy spider that comes from the warm rainforests of Central America. It gets its name from the soft, curly hairs that cover its
body, giving it a cute and fluffy look! These tarantulas are calm and easy to care for, which makes them one of the most popular pet spiders in the world.
Fun Fact: When it feels threatened, the Curly-Haired Tarantula can flick tiny hairs from its body — like throwing little itchy snowflakes — to protect itself from danger!
The Oriental Fire-Bellied Toad (Bombina orientalis) is a striking amphibian native to China, Korea, and parts of Russia. Recognisable by its bright green and black back and vivid orange- red belly, this hardy species is active, curious, and spends much of its time in shallow water. It’s colourful underside serves as a warning to predators that it produces mild skin toxins as a form of defence.
Fun Fact: When threatened, an Oriental Fire-Bellied Toad performs a dramatic “unken reflex”—arching its back and lifting its legs to show off its brightly coloured belly, warning predators to stay away!
Plated lizards are tough, scaly reptiles found in the dry, rocky areas of Africa. Their name comes from the thick, armor-like plates that cover their bodies — perfect for protection against predators! These lizards love basking in the sun and hiding in cracks or burrows to stay safe and cool.
Fun Fact: When threatened, a plated lizard can wedge itself tightly into a rock crevice, puff up its body, and become almost impossible for predators to pull out!
Explore the wonderful Marine Life Bray exhibits and experience these amazing creatures.
