Two Sneaky Halloween Helpers

Two sneaky snakes snuck their way into two Halloween Pumpkins bathed in warm sunshine. “Its good for baby snakes to bask in the sunshine” said Head Keeper Elliot who looks after the Reptile House where the snakes were born. “Monty and Crusha the baby Boa Constrictors were having their dose of sun when they sneaked into pumpkins the Rangers were hollowing out for Halloween.

“The baby Boas are born live but I have separated them from Mum Whanita and Dad Bully Boy because they may fancy them as a snack. The baby snakes are only 2 weeks old and can already dislocate their jaws to swallow a mouse whole. They can eat 2 mice a week.  The males grow to 8ft and the females up to 13ft and can weigh over 100lbs. They live from 20 to 30 years”.

Boa Constrictors come from the South American Rainforests and are not poisonous. Villagers on the edge of the forest keep them under their houses to catch rats which they ‘smell’ out with their forked tongues. They will eat almost anything except pumpkins and vegetables. Their jaws are lined with tiny hooked teeth which hold their prey while they wrap their muscular bodies around their victim, squeezing it into a package ready to fit into their extended mouths. Sadly Boa Constrictors are poached for their ornate skin, some are endangered and most have protected status.

The Rangers at Woodlands Family Theme Park are hollowing out 3000 pumpkins ready for the Halloween Spookytacular from October 26th to 31st, where Fiendish Workshops include free pumpkins and carving. Visitors during the special Half Term Halloween week can ride the Ghastly Ghost Train, Ghoulish Tractor Rides and explore the Phantom Maze.

Monty and Crusha when they aren’t soaking up the sunshine are kept under a lamp for warmth. Whanita and Bully Boy are currently in the Reptile House at the 90 Acre Park’s Zoo together with hundreds of birds, animals and insects.        

Korean Eagles Fly over Devon

Displaying the grace and power of the eagle 25 Tae Kwon Do Martial Art experts have flown from Korea to their hosts in Devon. Aged from only 7 years to 20 years the team are demonstrating their ancient art of self defence at Woodlands Family Theme Park near Dartmouth on Sunday 26th July at 11.00am and 3.30pm.

The hosts Plym Tae Kwon Do have raised £12,000 to bring the famous team to Devon. “It’s a great privilege to watch the skill and agility of the Koreans” said tour organiser Elaine Doonan. “The commitments of Tae Kwon Do were formed in 537AD. They are self control, honouring our family and country and never giving up. These values are just as relevant to our youngsters today”.

Two Very Rare Baby Owls Arrive in Devon

Two beautiful fluffy rare baby Owls have arrived for Easter at Woodlands Family Theme Park. Their proud parents Katrina and Rasputin are very rare Russian Siberian Turkemanian Eagle Owls which are Hybrids and are not found anywhere in the wild. There are only about eleven of these rare owls in England at the moment.

Katrina is an excellent Mum and Rasputin became very excited and protective when the babies hatched two weeks ago. They have been watched closely on Closed Circuit TV cameras by the park’s two Falconers Geoff Pearson and Lyn Goss.

There were three eggs but after Katrina had hatched out the first two babies she pushed out the third egg and ate it. Breeding mothers have a way of knowing whether the eggs are fertile or infertile even before they hatch. These eggs are often eaten by the females to gain extra nutrients.

The owls are now being hand-reared by the Falconers to give them extra care and attention. “Lyn and I are being foster Mums to the baby chicks” Geoff said. “We take care of them day and night. They are to be kept at a precise temperature, not too hot and not too cold. “Feeding the chicks every four hours by hand is a bit tough, at least they don’t wear nappies, but they do have to be cleaned and picked up for cuddling”. Geoff continued “we then gain the trust of the babies and soon they accept other people.  All being well they should be ready to take part in the Woodlands Falconry Displays by August, where they eventually fly and land on gauntlets held by the public”.

Geoff and Lyn are looking for two Russian names, male and female, so that the chicks will be able to recognise when they are being called. Visitors to the Family Theme Park are able to enter their name suggestions into a competition, or if anyone can think of two Russian names then please send your suggestions to Woodlands Family Theme Park, Dartmouth, South Devon, TQ9 7DQ.

The babies will occasionally be able to be seen at the Falconry Centre office where they will be looked after during the day until they can be placed outside.

Eggceptional Dragon Eggs 

25 Eggs have been laid by Kionie one of Woodlands exotic Bearded Dragons on Saturday 15th March. We are all very excited and cannot wait to see the babies when they hatch in 60 days. 

In the wild mother dragons lay their eggs in a burrow and then leave them to look after themselves but at Woodlands because they are so special Elliott, the Head Keeper, has put them in the incubator to keep them safe and warm.

Bearded Dragons originate from Australia and can produce 4 to 6 clutches of eggs a year, so we may have some more eggciting news on the way.

Kionie can be seen with all her friends at the Big Fun Farm in the Reptile House; which is home to an amazing diversity of creaturse from Mr Snappy, the Dwarf Caiman Crocodile to Homer our 12 foot Burmese Albino Python, two Boa Constictors, Terrapins, Iguanas and not forgetting George the Chameleon are all living happily together. 

Thousands of chocolate eggs and great activities are coming to Woodlands for the children this Easter at the 90 acre Family Theme Park near Dartmouth. 

Bird Olympic Gold Challenge!

Stretch Your Pound Further

Choosing the best value day out in these tight times is important. Parents appreciate paying one price which includes all attractions. Saying no to an activity which costs extra is hard on parent and child.

Woodlands offers a day out which ticks all the boxes. The one admission price includes 16 family rides, 100 000 sq ft indoors, 10 massive play zones, falconry centre, and the most up to date animal centre in Devon.  During the school holidays live entertainers are included as well.  Bring a picnic and the whole day at Woodlands costs just over £40 for four. Buy an annual ticket for £31.50 each and the first visit is included free.

A full day of variety with zones where there are attractions for each member of the family makes a happy day out. High standards, new rides, and an unexpected diversity of animals, birds, and insects in the zoo zone is a bonus for families who want more for their money.

Stretching the pound to include wet day play is no problem at Woodlands. The play centers are massive with four rides and two ball blasting arenas. From the stomach churning Trauma Tower to the cute Circus Train there’s an indoor ride for everyone. Families experience the wow factor as they tackle multi slides, soaring tower climbs and themed ball pools. The challenges of the two soft play centers are favourites for little ones.

Set in 80 acres of fantastic countryside there is space for families to play together. They can shoot Water Coasters, fly down the Avalanche, bump boats and giggle on the Dune Buggies. Keeping kids fit comes easy on the major Commando Course & Action Tracks.

A new era of fun at Woodlands with two new zones is welcomed by families on a budget.

Although the new white knuckle Swing Ship and the Big Fun Farm cost £1.5 million there is still one inclusive cost. Families know that the pound in their pocket at Woodlands stretches further and there is even some left.

Mayors Take Off

Pirates Day at Woodlands

Champagne splashed over 3 Mayors as they hurtled upwards on the new Swing Ship at Woodlands. 84 year old Dartmouth Councillor Elwyn Davies was the first to climb aboard the White Knuckle ride “I didn’t know what to expect” he chuckled “I’ve never experienced anything like it, my stomach was still at the top and I was coming down. I’m going to have another go”.

Iris Pritchard Mayor of Dartmouth smashed the Champagne bottle and named the ship “Sea Dragon”. She told us “Woodlands has made big investments to attract visitors to the area. It is a big asset to Dartmouth”.

Dartmouth Sea Cadets whirled heavy cutlasses round their heads in a dazzling display to start Pirates Day. Lt (SCC) Patrick K Franklin RNR cut the mooring rope and received a cheque from Pat Bendall, Woodlands Director. “This will be a great help” he said “as two Cadets are going to Canada and Sweden shortly and funds are hard to come by these days”.

Burly lifeboat men from Dartmouth RNLI Tony Chapman and Chris Rampling were surprised by the ride “It really throws you up” Tony said “Bit like a force 8 gale”. The Dartmouth Lifeboat has already saved five disasters since opening. Three fund raising ladies received a Woodlands cheque and had a money raising stall.

Adam Church winner of the South Hams Newspapers Red Carpet Day at Woodlands enjoyed his star treatment. “I feel really special” he told us “I was first on the Swing Ship with all the Mayors. I started the Ferret Racing. We were first on all the rides and had free meals and ice cream”.

Colourful pirates from all over Devon invaded the park on Wednesday. Families staggered home exhausted after experiencing the new zones in the 70 acre park. They took home loot bags presented by Cllr Pam Barnes Deputy Mayor of Totnes.

Councillor Rufus Gilbert Mayor of Kingsbridge and his wife Sandra had a wonderful day and had great fun judging the Davy Jones Best Dressed Pirates Competition. They particularly enjoyed the new Big Fun Farm and helped feed the lambs “It is an excellent park” he said “The Sea Dragon Swing Ship ride is an occasion we will not forget”.