0:00:03 > 0:00:07If you're nervous of bugs, look away now because on Roar today,
0:00:07 > 0:00:10we meet a creature which has been unchanged
0:00:10 > 0:00:11for over 300 million years.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15It comes out at night, is armed with huge claws,
0:00:15 > 0:00:18several pairs of eyes and a deadly sting.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21Meet the emperor scorpion.
0:00:47 > 0:00:52Hello and welcome to Roar. I'm Rani and just down there's Johny.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55Johny, the show's started. Are you nearly out, mate?
0:00:55 > 0:00:58I've been here before. I'm never going to get out of here.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00Are you sure this is the right way?
0:01:00 > 0:01:04Johny, six steps forward, 30 steps to the left,
0:01:04 > 0:01:08my left not your left, and then do 30 steps to the right.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10You'll be sorted.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14- We'll leave him to it and get on with today's amazing show.- Rani!
0:01:16 > 0:01:20If I can ever get out of this maze,
0:01:20 > 0:01:23I've got a swimming lesson booked in with the baby otters.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25So far, they've only paddled in the sink but today,
0:01:25 > 0:01:29they're going out into the big pool.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32She's absolutely terrified
0:01:32 > 0:01:36but will Amy be able to conquer her fears and handle a scorpion?
0:01:36 > 0:01:38I feel sick!
0:01:38 > 0:01:44And we meet a dragon that can eat with no hands. No, not you, Rani.
0:01:48 > 0:01:53But we start today with some of the park's scarier creatures.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57The keepers at Animal Adventure are a brave lot.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01They have to know about and handle every animal in the collection.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05Keeper Amy Moore is cool will almost all of them,
0:02:05 > 0:02:08from fluffy bunnies to slithery snakes.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12But sometimes, even fearless keepers have phobias.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16And Amy is simply terrified of scorpions.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22It's the pincers that I don't like, especially...
0:02:22 > 0:02:25Scorpions are really fast anyway.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27They're sideways-on and it's the whole pincer...
0:02:27 > 0:02:29I just don't like it. I find it foul.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33Scorpions use their pincers to hold their prey.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36Then their stinger or telson, as it's called,
0:02:36 > 0:02:40whips over their back to inject venom into the unlucky insect.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44Whilst an emperor scorpion's venom is deadly to a small bug,
0:02:44 > 0:02:47it's not too dangerous to humans.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49In fact, it's similar to a bee sting.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54But Amy's extreme fear of these prehistoric insects comes from
0:02:54 > 0:02:57a bad childhood experience with a completely different animal.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03When I was younger, I went to the beach with my parents
0:03:03 > 0:03:07and under some rocks there was a small... Well, at the time
0:03:07 > 0:03:09I thought it was a large crab,
0:03:09 > 0:03:12but it was a small crab and I picked the rock up and I didn't expect it.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16It ran out and it grabbed me on the ankle. Yeah, tears galore.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19So, I think that's where it's come from and all this time,
0:03:19 > 0:03:22I've steered clear of any animal like that.
0:03:22 > 0:03:27Steering clear of scorpions wouldn't be a problem
0:03:27 > 0:03:30if Amy wasn't an animal keeper, but to do her job properly,
0:03:30 > 0:03:36she must be able to handle all the animals, including scorpions.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39The idea and thought of handling scorpions
0:03:39 > 0:03:41makes me feel sick to be honest.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44I can't explain to you.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47It's really....hot flushed,
0:03:47 > 0:03:50and I just, I don't know, just, yeah, palpitations.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56Today on Roar, Amy is going to try to get over her phobia
0:03:56 > 0:04:00and hold a scorpion in her hand for the first time.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03The whole thought of it makes me feel sick!
0:04:03 > 0:04:08It may be just too big a challenge but the woman to try to help her
0:04:08 > 0:04:11through it is senior scorpion handler, Kim Tucker.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13Amy is very, very frightened.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17The last thing I need is Amy being even more frightened
0:04:17 > 0:04:18than what she was when she came in.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22That's completely the opposite of what we're trying to do.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24If she panics, it could be disastrous
0:04:24 > 0:04:25for both Amy and the scorpion.
0:04:25 > 0:04:30The worst thing that can happen is either Amy freaks out
0:04:30 > 0:04:33and throws it in the air or it stings her.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37To do her job, Amy must try and overcome her fear.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40First, she must hold a scorpion.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42Then, get brave enough to show them to the public.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46But will she be able to do it? Don't go away.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56Now for something a little softer
0:04:56 > 0:04:59and certainly cuter, the baby otters.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01I've watched them grow up
0:05:01 > 0:05:06from their first trip outside to their first dip into the sink.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10But this morning, keeper Bev has asked me down
0:05:10 > 0:05:13to the otter enclosure for a very special event.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16They're going to learn how to swim.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19- Bev, I've come with my arm bands and rubber ducks.- Brilliant.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22- Are we going to be needing them? - We might be, yeah. Why not?
0:05:22 > 0:05:25I'll pop these in here for now. I've got to say,
0:05:25 > 0:05:28these are my favourite little animals in the park.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30- They're lovely, aren't they? - There are so cute.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33I think they know they're going to go for their swim,
0:05:33 > 0:05:37so they're getting really excited at the moment, as you can see.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39- How old are they now? - They are nine weeks old now.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41Shall we let them out and teach them to swim?
0:05:41 > 0:05:42We'll let them out
0:05:42 > 0:05:45because they're going to get really excited coming out.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Will they head for the water straight away?
0:05:48 > 0:05:49Or are they nervous about it?
0:05:49 > 0:05:51They'll probably need a hand getting in
0:05:51 > 0:05:53so we have to pick them up.
0:05:53 > 0:05:54That's it, just lift one up.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58We'll pop them in and they should start swimming, hopefully.
0:05:58 > 0:05:59I hope so.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12Otters are connected with water, they're specially adapted for it.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15But look, they're just putting their heads under the water.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17- Yeah.- They opened their eyes not long ago.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20How come they're able to look under the water?
0:06:20 > 0:06:22It's just the way they're designed.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25They're very good at having their eyes open.
0:06:25 > 0:06:26Also, holding their breath.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30As you can see, they're still learning how to do that.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32I've got a special underwater camera
0:06:32 > 0:06:35so we can see what they're like under the water.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39I'll just pop that in this way. That's incredible about their eyes.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42How can they keep their eyes open under the water?
0:06:42 > 0:06:44It's just the way they're designed.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47When they go under, it doesn't hurt their eyes.
0:06:47 > 0:06:52Also, holding their breath as well, they close their nose off as well.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55- I think that one has had enough.- Ah!
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Also, if you look at the tail as well,
0:06:58 > 0:07:01they use their tail to help them swim.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05Also, the webbed feet. Here we go.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08Why is it so important the baby otters learn to swim?
0:07:08 > 0:07:12They'll actually go in water, shallow water, to hunt basically.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16They go in and will use their feet to feel around to find food
0:07:16 > 0:07:18as well as hunting on land as well.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21It's really important for them to get used to it.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23- For their survival I suppose. - Definitely.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27Not every otter is going to have their very own Bev in the wild,
0:07:27 > 0:07:29so who would teach them to swim in the wild?
0:07:29 > 0:07:31Basically Mum and Dad.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33What they do, they take them by the scruff of the neck
0:07:33 > 0:07:36and basically chuck them in the water.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38That's when they've got to learn quickly to swim.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40Mum and Dad go back in and drag them out.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43They keep doing it until they get the hang of it.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46- Is that what you've been doing with the otters, in a way?- Yeah!
0:07:46 > 0:07:50- You've been Mum and Dad to these guys, haven't you?- I have, yeah.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53It's hard work but worth it seeing them grow and going through
0:07:53 > 0:07:55the stages of their life, it's brilliant.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58Any hints when we might be able to introduce them to Mum and Dad?
0:07:58 > 0:08:02When they're fully weaned, a little bigger, that's when we'll start
0:08:02 > 0:08:04introducing them to Mum and Dad.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07They do call out to Mum and Dad now as well so that's quite nice.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09It looks like they want to come out now.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11They're shivering a little bit.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15- Who have we got here then? - That one is Kasim, that one there.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19If you wrap them up and dry him off a bit, he might be a bit wiggly.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21Come on, Kasim.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24Isn't that just the cutest thing you've ever seen
0:08:24 > 0:08:27in your entire life?
0:08:27 > 0:08:30You know what? I think these guys are all nice and dry now.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34- Shall we pop them back?- Yeah, let's pop them back in the box.- Yeah.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36It's always such a pleasure to come
0:08:36 > 0:08:40and meet the park's cutest baby animals, the baby otters.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42Thank you so much for that.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44But the babies are facing some tough times ahead.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47Next time we see them on Roar is when the keepers try
0:08:47 > 0:08:51and reunite them with their parents but will they accept them?
0:08:59 > 0:09:02Where do hamsters come from?
0:09:02 > 0:09:03Hamsterdam.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05Baa!
0:09:05 > 0:09:08- What type of band is a monkey in? - I don't know.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10A swing band.
0:09:10 > 0:09:11Ba-dum-boom-chh!
0:09:11 > 0:09:14Cock-a-doodle-doo!
0:09:15 > 0:09:18- What animal needs oil?- I don't know.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20A mouse, because it squeaks.
0:09:31 > 0:09:36It's Ask The Keeper time and in the hot seat today
0:09:36 > 0:09:40is deputy head of big cats, and tiger expert, Bob Trollope.
0:09:40 > 0:09:45Bob, you're looking fighting fit but mentally, are you nervous?
0:09:45 > 0:09:48- Very nervous.- We've got loads of questions for you now.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52- Who's going to go first?- What are the names of all of the tigers?
0:09:52 > 0:09:55Well, this one here's Sundari.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59And we've got two out in the paddock, that's Showri and Svetli.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03What kind of tigers are these?
0:10:03 > 0:10:06These are what we call Amur tigers. They used to be called
0:10:06 > 0:10:09Siberian tigers because that's where they came from.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13So what does Amur tigers mean then?
0:10:13 > 0:10:17It's the far east of Russia that they come from. It's just their region.
0:10:17 > 0:10:22How long can a tiger keep up its fastest speed for?
0:10:22 > 0:10:24That's a good question.
0:10:24 > 0:10:29Well, the fastest? They can only keep it up for a few seconds
0:10:29 > 0:10:33because they use a lot of energy creeping up on their prey
0:10:33 > 0:10:36and then they make a quick dash to catch them,
0:10:36 > 0:10:41so it's very short bursts but about ten seconds, I should imagine.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44Really good question, Miranda. Well done, you.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47- How fast can tigers run? - How fast can they run?
0:10:47 > 0:10:49That's another good one.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52Well, they can run to about 25-30 mph
0:10:52 > 0:10:55which is very, very quick in kilometres.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59That's about 40-45 kilometres per hour.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02That's fast, isn't it? That's faster than my car.
0:11:02 > 0:11:08- How many teeth do they have?- Unless they've lost any, they have about 30.
0:11:08 > 0:11:13Bob, being this close and they're opening their mouths,
0:11:13 > 0:11:17do you ever check their teeth or brush their teeth even?
0:11:17 > 0:11:19No, we never brush their teeth obviously
0:11:19 > 0:11:23but this is a very good way of checking their teeth.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25Because these are little chunks
0:11:25 > 0:11:28and you can look in their mouth when they take them.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30They sometimes chew on the bones when we feed them
0:11:30 > 0:11:36and they do break bits of teeth, especially their canines.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39If she opens her mouth, you can see the big canines there.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43Very quickly but they're all intact so they're healthy.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47Bob, so far you've got the eye of the tiger
0:11:47 > 0:11:49but now it's for time for your killer question.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53Are you ready for this? Give us one moment.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04- Are we ready to take Bob on?- Yeah!
0:12:04 > 0:12:06Bob, it's time for your killer question.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11OK, our programme is called Roar.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15Lions roar. Do tigers roar?
0:12:15 > 0:12:17They do.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19Can we have a tiger impression?
0:12:19 > 0:12:21Roar?!
0:12:22 > 0:12:25We've heard Sundari roar and it's louder than that.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29- Give us a loud one, Bob. - I've got a sore throat.- Oh, Bob.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31Thumbs-up or thumbs-down for Bob?
0:12:32 > 0:12:34It's thumbs down all round!
0:12:36 > 0:12:39That was harsh. Bob did brilliantly on the questions
0:12:39 > 0:12:44and just in case you were wondering, this is a tiger roar.
0:12:53 > 0:12:58For keeper Amy Moore it's time to come face to face with
0:12:58 > 0:13:02her worst nightmare. She has a terrible fear of scorpions...
0:13:04 > 0:13:08..which she must overcome to be able to do her job.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10I feel sick. I feel very sick.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15You'll be fine. No worries, promise.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18- Ready?- Yeah.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21So far, Amy hasn't even been able to look at a scorpion
0:13:21 > 0:13:22without panicking.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25With keeper Kim on hand to help her, she's about to try.
0:13:25 > 0:13:30You have to remember they're very fast, they run forwards,
0:13:30 > 0:13:32backwards, sideways, all over the place
0:13:32 > 0:13:35so you needed to be prepared for that.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37He's been a bit quick this morning
0:13:37 > 0:13:39but once he's on your hand, he's fine.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41- All right?- Yeah.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45Sick, sweating.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50I want to do it, yeah, I've got to get over it.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52She must try and keep calm.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56These scorpions have never stung any of the keepers
0:13:56 > 0:13:58but they do have a stinger full of venom
0:13:58 > 0:14:02and if Amy panics and frightens him, that's when he'll attack.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06Right, just keep your hands nice and still.
0:14:09 > 0:14:14It looks so much worse than it is just because of his pincers.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16All right? He's going to go the wrong way now.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20- Oh. Yeah.- All right?- Yeah. - There you go.
0:14:22 > 0:14:23That's it.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25There we go. Well done.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29- That's it.- I can't look at him! - That's all right!
0:14:29 > 0:14:34- The pincers!- It's all right, he's not going to use them, don't worry.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36She's done it! How brave was that?
0:14:37 > 0:14:40But that was just her first challenge.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44She needs to pick the scorpion up and show him to the public.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48We'll be back later to see if her nerve holds.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55Now for a ROAR love story.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59When Gavin met Stacey earlier this year,
0:14:59 > 0:15:01there was an instant connection.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04At first, they were just good friends,
0:15:04 > 0:15:08but, as time went on, their relationship developed.
0:15:10 > 0:15:15They were both young, but they decided to start a family.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18Soon, Stacey had laid a clutch of huge eggs,
0:15:18 > 0:15:21and they took it in turns to sit on them.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25Stacey did the daytime, Gavin took the night shift.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29Six weeks later, four beautiful chicks hatched.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32We were there when they took their first steps.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36I've come up to help with feeding time. And just look at them now!
0:15:43 > 0:15:46You join myself and head keeper Andy at a frantic moment.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48We're about to feed the ostriches,
0:15:48 > 0:15:51and they're a little bit dangerous, aren't they?
0:15:51 > 0:15:54- Particularly the male. - Is he protective of his family?
0:15:54 > 0:15:56Extremely. She can be, to a degree,
0:15:56 > 0:15:59but she's a little bit more easy-going than he is.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03We'll actually get back on the truck now, because he's on his way.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06You don't have to tell me twice, Andy! Right, OK.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09No offence, but these aren't exactly my favourite animals.
0:16:09 > 0:16:14- But that scene there is quite a beautiful thing.- I like the ostrich.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17They're pretty cool. The speed that these chicks grow...
0:16:17 > 0:16:20You guys have watched them almost from hatching.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23Here we are and they're such an amazing size.
0:16:23 > 0:16:28You take a few days off, and they're bigger when you get back. Incredible.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30Do they always eat the solids, as soon as they hatch?
0:16:30 > 0:16:34Yeah, after a few days, they'll start pecking around
0:16:34 > 0:16:36and they'll take seed heads and bits of grass.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38And they learn by association.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41- They watch what Mum and Dad do. - What have we got here?
0:16:41 > 0:16:43This is pelleted food for them,
0:16:43 > 0:16:45which is what we give them for winter time.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47I've noticed we've put the food in one pile.
0:16:47 > 0:16:52- Is that just for our camera? - No, we always feed them like that.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55The ostrich get on extremely well, and they'll all eat together,
0:16:55 > 0:16:59plus we're getting them feeding closer and closer to the barn,
0:16:59 > 0:17:04so when it gets colder, we open the door and put a pile of food inside,
0:17:04 > 0:17:07and they'll go into the barn in the evenings when it's chillier.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10You've got the unenviable task of training an ostrich.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13That can't be easy, cos there's not much going on up there!
0:17:13 > 0:17:18With these guys, it's forwards, backwards, eat, stop, sleep.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20That's about as much as they can do.
0:17:20 > 0:17:21So they're not the brightest.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25I mean, an ostrich's brain is in fact smaller than its eyeball.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29They're not that bright. But these things are tough as old boots.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31And they do very, very well.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35Well, the food seems to have lured the ostriches over, Andy.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38They seem to be enjoying it, but it doesn't work for me.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41- Fancy joining me for something a little bit tastier?- Definitely.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48Back at Animal Adventure, and Amy is facing her fears.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51So far, she's managed to hold a scorpion.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55Now she has to get one out of its box on her own
0:17:55 > 0:17:57and without being stung.
0:17:57 > 0:18:02I'm just worried that...I'm just going to provoke him to pincer me!
0:18:02 > 0:18:06- Don't be silly. All right, are you ready?- Yep.- Yeah?
0:18:07 > 0:18:10Just pop your hand next to the side of the box.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12- I'll be with you.- OK.- That's it.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15There we go. Well done!
0:18:15 > 0:18:18- I don't believe I'm doing this! - Well done! That's fab!
0:18:20 > 0:18:23Oh, this is crazy. I never thought I'd be doing this.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26- So you don't need me at all! - It's so weird. It's so weird.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30I never thought I'd be doing this. For me, this is just crazy time.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32I almost feel like I'm in a dream.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34All because of the pincers!
0:18:36 > 0:18:39- Ooh.- It's all right, don't panic. Don't panic.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42I thought he'd have my thumb. Sorry, mate.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44There you go. Pop him back in the box
0:18:44 > 0:18:47- Well done! That was brill! - Thanks, Kim.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53I'm so sweating! God, I can't believe that!
0:18:53 > 0:18:57My mum's not going to believe that. I didn't think I could do that.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00You don't have any limits. I feel like it's not real,
0:19:00 > 0:19:02cos it was something I'd avoid,
0:19:02 > 0:19:06but I'm really proud and glad I've done it now.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08It was a massive, massive step.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11The fact that she's done it, I am so, so pleased.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14But there's still one more challenge to overcome,
0:19:14 > 0:19:17and this is the toughest one yet.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21On her own, Amy must take the scorpion out to meet the public,
0:19:21 > 0:19:24and she mustn't show her fear.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27Will she succeed, or will this story have a STING in its tail?
0:19:34 > 0:19:39It's Chico time for the ROAR game. Today's secret code is...
0:19:41 > 0:19:44Type that in and see what you get. It could be treats, new animals
0:19:44 > 0:19:48or even a new enclosure. Happy gaming!
0:19:57 > 0:19:59If I told you that there was an animal that could
0:19:59 > 0:20:03catch its prey without using its hands, would you believe me?
0:20:03 > 0:20:07- Well, Sarah is going to prove it to us today. Hi, Sarah.- Hiya.
0:20:07 > 0:20:08Who have you got here, then?
0:20:08 > 0:20:12- This is Bruce, our Australian bearded dragon.- All right, hiya, Bruce.
0:20:12 > 0:20:13He doesn't say much.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17OK, well, I'm saying he can catch his prey without using his hands.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19What kind of food is it, then?
0:20:19 > 0:20:22- I've got some food here.- Right. - This is the type of food they eat.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26We've got dandelion leaves, because they've got a lot of calcium,
0:20:26 > 0:20:27which they need.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31- These are mealworms. And crickets in here.- OK, then.
0:20:31 > 0:20:36We're going to feed this, and we hope to see this long, sticky tongue
0:20:36 > 0:20:39and no hand action at all. Can I help in any way?
0:20:39 > 0:20:41- Do you want to hold him?- OK.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43I'm glad you didn't say, "Hold the crickets"!
0:20:43 > 0:20:45- How do I hold him? - That's it, like that.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48- He's quite spiky, isn't he? - Yeah. He has very rough skin.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51They come from quite a hot, dry area, so that protects them.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55And he's quite nice and warm, as well. All right, then, Bruce.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58What's this fella going to get first to eat today?
0:20:58 > 0:21:02Well, I've got a black cricket here, so we'll see if he'll take this one.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06Hopefully we'll see him in action. Ooh!
0:21:06 > 0:21:07Is he interested?
0:21:10 > 0:21:14- Is this something he'd normally eat? - It's very quick, isn't it?
0:21:14 > 0:21:18The tongue's really thick. I imagined something quite long.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22Yeah, bearded dragons, they use speed to catch the bugs,
0:21:22 > 0:21:25whereas a chameleon has a very long tongue
0:21:25 > 0:21:28and would get it from a distance, because they're not as fast.
0:21:28 > 0:21:33- If I put him down, would he run after his food?- He might do.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35Shall we try that? OK, here we go.
0:21:36 > 0:21:41OK. Now, in the wild, we talk about him being in quite dry areas,
0:21:41 > 0:21:43so what kind of food would he be looking for?
0:21:43 > 0:21:45Did you see that?!
0:21:45 > 0:21:49He'd eat mainly bugs in the wild. They love their bugs.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52They do occasionally eat salad stuff, but they do love their bugs,
0:21:52 > 0:21:54actually, bearded dragons.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57Ooh, straight to the plate! Is it quite sticky, then, the tongue?
0:21:57 > 0:22:00Yeah, it is. You can see when he brings it out,
0:22:00 > 0:22:03the way they kind of scoop the food back up in their mouth.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06It does stick to the tongue as he brings it back in.
0:22:06 > 0:22:07Does he have teeth?
0:22:07 > 0:22:11Yeah, they've got lots of very small, triangular, but very sharp teeth.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Cos some of the bugs they eat can have quite hard shells on them.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16When we offered the food, he wasn't keen,
0:22:16 > 0:22:19but putting him down there and seeing the movement,
0:22:19 > 0:22:21he's really loving it, isn't he?
0:22:21 > 0:22:24- He's not going to eat too many, is he, and get too tubby?- No.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28I'll put him back in a minute cos he probably would eat until he could!
0:22:28 > 0:22:31Well, it is really impressive to see him eat without his hands,
0:22:31 > 0:22:33but he's not the only one who can do that.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35Take a look at this.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46Behind the scenes down at Animal Adventure, keeper Amy
0:22:46 > 0:22:49is fighting to overcome her terror of scorpions,
0:22:49 > 0:22:51because today is a big day.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56For the first time, what I'm going to do now is take out the scorpions
0:22:56 > 0:22:59and do some scorpion handling by myself with the visitors.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02Obviously, I'm a bit anxious and a bit nervous,
0:23:02 > 0:23:05because I've not been on my own with them before.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08My phobia is obviously... I still don't like them
0:23:08 > 0:23:11and, by choice, I probably wouldn't handle them,
0:23:11 > 0:23:14but it is part of my job and something I have to overcome.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18so you just have to just do it, really. I'm going to be very brave.
0:23:18 > 0:23:24Showing animals to the public is an essential part of a keeper's job.
0:23:24 > 0:23:25The trickiest bit is this bit, yes.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29This is where everything could go really well or really wrong
0:23:29 > 0:23:32and I could drop them and not pick them up properly.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35So it's just getting the handling technique right.
0:23:35 > 0:23:41- But Amy's come a long way, and her handling technique is spot-on.- Phew!
0:23:41 > 0:23:43That is the worst bit over, yeah.
0:23:43 > 0:23:44That was quite easy.
0:23:44 > 0:23:48She was quite kind of calm, just sat there, didn't really do a lot.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52Amy must stay calm and confident to put others at ease.
0:23:53 > 0:23:58If you put both your hands together... Put them quite flat. OK?
0:23:58 > 0:24:01And I'll just kind of walk her onto you.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03She's gentle, she's quite docile,
0:24:03 > 0:24:04so she should sit still.
0:24:05 > 0:24:10- There you go. She won't sting you. It's fine.- OK.- There you go.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12That went really well.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15I handled that a lot better than I thought I would.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18Does she get a vote of confidence from the public?
0:24:18 > 0:24:20I felt nervous. I thought it would sting me.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23Amy told me it wouldn't sting me.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25She made me feel very relaxed.
0:24:25 > 0:24:31I would never have guessed she had a phobia. Well done, Amy! Good job!
0:24:31 > 0:24:33I think now I can say, yeah,
0:24:33 > 0:24:36I can handle pretty much any of the animals in Animal Adventure.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40Obviously, still not crabs, but any of the animals
0:24:40 > 0:24:43that we have at Animal Adventure I'm pretty confident with now.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45So that's really good.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47She's done it!
0:24:47 > 0:24:51So next time you're scared of spiders, remember Amy
0:24:51 > 0:24:53and how she conquered her fears.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02Before we say goodbye for another day,
0:25:02 > 0:25:05we thought we'd pop down to Sea Lion Beach - whoo-hoo -
0:25:05 > 0:25:08and help Sarah give the sea lions some sea-salt tablets.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11- Hi, Sarah!- Hiya! - They've all come out to greet us,
0:25:11 > 0:25:13and they've come out for their tablets.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16Why are you giving them sea-salt tablets?
0:25:16 > 0:25:19Obviously, the sea lions out in the wild, they live in saltwater.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21- Right.- As you can see,
0:25:21 > 0:25:23we've only got a freshwater lake that they live in,
0:25:23 > 0:25:26so we need to replace that salt that they would get
0:25:26 > 0:25:27in their natural habitat.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30We do that in a form of a tablet in their fish.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33- Well, who have we got here? - This one's Nancy.- Hi, Nancy!
0:25:33 > 0:25:36- Nancy is desperate! Can we help in any way?- Yeah.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39I'll give her a salt tablet, and it's over to you.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42- So the salt tablets are actually in the fish?- They are.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45- Right.- They're put into the fish in the mornings.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48I've just fed a sea lion. That's incredible! That's amazing!
0:25:48 > 0:25:50We do have more out here somewhere.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53- You've got to make sure everyone gets one.- I do.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55- Can I chuck a piece to Buster? - You can.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58OK, Buster, are you ready for your fish?
0:25:58 > 0:26:01- Yes!- On your rock, J.- Who's that?
0:26:01 > 0:26:05This is JJ, and the one behind there is Zook.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08- Ooh, my goodness. Are we safe, Sarah?- You are safe, yeah.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11They're more interested with scrapping with each other
0:26:11 > 0:26:12than coming near us.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14You've got a little one here as well, Riley.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17Is he not going to come out for his tablets?
0:26:17 > 0:26:19No, Riley's still a bit young to be on fish.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23He's still on Zook's milk, if you want to throw her a fish.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26- Sorry!- Don't miss Zook!
0:26:26 > 0:26:30So he's still feeding off Mum, and until he's about eight months.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34- How's Riley getting on generally? - He's doing really well.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37He's starting to venture out a bit further into the lake now,
0:26:37 > 0:26:40They get a bit more playful, a bit more adventurous.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42I just got really excited
0:26:42 > 0:26:45when a hippo popped up to say hello as well!
0:26:45 > 0:26:47- Oh!- He really did! I got a bit nervous.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50We have got a lot of fish to get through here.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52- Are they going to eat all this?- Yes!
0:26:52 > 0:26:54- They're calling for it. - They're getting hungry.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57You guys check out what's on the next episode of ROAR.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00It's like an argument between me and you, Rani!
0:27:01 > 0:27:05Next time, the prairie dogs are getting a new enclosure.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09But will the keepers ever be able to stop them from escaping?
0:27:09 > 0:27:13I'm going to be meeting one of the oldest gorillas in the world,
0:27:13 > 0:27:17Nico the silverback. But will he be a grumpy old man?
0:27:17 > 0:27:20And the meerkats go digging for their breakfast.
0:27:20 > 0:27:24Will they manage to tunnel in, or are they just going to scrap?
0:27:24 > 0:27:26If these were kids, I'd be going,
0:27:26 > 0:27:30"Stop! "There's plenty for everyone."
0:27:30 > 0:27:31Don't miss it!
0:27:42 > 0:27:45Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:27:45 > 0:27:48E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk