Animal Activity License: 9751
Telephone: 02380 394174
Animal Ambassadors
The Reptile Academy is home to around 100 animals at our Dorset site, including several species of snake, lizard, monitor, amphibian, chelonian and invertebrate. Each of our animals have a unique story and form an integral part of our reptile and amphibian education programmes. Find out more about just some of our animal ambassadors below.
Monte
Burmese python
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Python bivittatus
Burmese pythons are the fourth largest species of snake in the world, and Monte does not disappoint. At 14ft, Monte weighs in at over 30kg, but is puppy-dog tame. As one of our oldest animal ambassadors, a special place is reserved for Monte at the heart of The Reptile Academy.
Special unexpected skill
Salvador
Giant Black and White Argentine Tegu
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Salvator merianae
Salvador joined The Reptile Academy a few years ago from the RSPCA, Brighton. A survivor of MBD as a result of poor husbandry, Salvador helps us to educate people about the advanced care requirements of reptiles, what can go wrong, and how veterinary intervention is vital for individuals to bounce back.
Favourite food
Superbia
Brazilian Rainbow Boa
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Epicrates cenchria
Superbia's name comes from the Latin word for Pride. A Brazilian Rainbow Boa, Superbia is one of the most stunning animals at The Reptile Academy, displaying a vivid array of colours.
Special Adaptation
Elizardbeth
Madagascan Giant Day Gecko
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Phelsuma grandis
Elizardbeth is all about boundaries, and helps us to teach prospective reptile and amphibian keepers that not all animals are suitable for handling. She is confident, observant and readily hand feeds, but dislikes physical contact.
Special Adaptation
Mooncake & The Lord Commander
White's Tree Frogs​
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Litoria caerulea
Named after the main characters in Final Space, Mooncake and TLC are our trio of White's Tree frogs. These are a highly popular species of frog that show intelligence traits that most amphibians do not, including social behaviours, food training behaviours with keepers and a tendency to return to their own enclosure.
Skills
Beau
Common Boa Constrictor​
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Boa constrictor imperator
Many snakes that are constrictors are often mistaken for Boa constrictors. However, these are their own species and not as infamous as many believe. Boa constrictors are popular as pets and in the wild they have important ecological roles.
Special Adaptation
Mick & Sue
Australian Ackie Monitor Lizards​
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Varanus acanthurus
Mick and Sue, aptly named after characters in the film Crocodile Dundee, are our pair of Ackie monitors. Inquisitive, intelligent and highly interactive, Ackie monitors readily approach their keepers and become well accustomed to handling.
Favourite activity
Chaos & Inferno
Marine Toads (Cane Toads)
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Rhinella marina
Named after their furtive appearance and biodiversity impact as an invasive species and failed method of biological control, Chaos and Inferno are large bodied marine toads resident at The Reptile Academy.
Defence mechanism
Bully
Giant African Bullfrog​
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Pyxicephalus adspersus
Bully is a resident Giant African Bullfrog at The Reptile Academy, and just like all others of his species, can only be described as a mouth on a stomach. GABs are voracious carnivores and possess three, extremely sharp, teeth-like odontodes.
Favourite hobby
Zilla & Blue
Green Iguana
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Iguana iguana
Zilla and Blue, are our pair of axanthic (meaning without yellow pigment) Green iguanas, appearing bright blue. Whilst herbivorous, Iguanas are equipped with a powerful whip-like tail, razor sharp claws and an extendable dewlap to ward off threats.
Special skill
Trinket & Nugget
Golden Tree Frogs
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Polypedates leucomystax
Highly vocal and responsive, golden tree frogs help us showcase the immense biodiversity of reptiles and amphibians. Communicating by a series of chirps, croaks and squeaks, Trinket and Nugget make you feel like you are immersed in a rainforest environment.
Hobby
Cheese & Pickle
New Caledonian Giant Geckos​
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Rhacodactylus leachianus
Cheese & Pickle are recent additions to The Reptile Academy, having joined us as a pair. Predominantly nocturnal and very secretive, you are only likely to encounter them at a visit to the centre (they do not travel). These animals have a unique ability to vocalise or bark, a rare trait among reptiles.
Special skill
Nala
Bearded Dragon
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Pogona vitticeps
Meet Nala, our resident Bearded dragon. She is a rescue animal that has joined us from the NCRW in Kent. Bearded dragons are popular pets in the UK because they are perceived as being low maintenance and a 'beginner' reptile. However, Bearded dragons have complex husbandry requirements to replicate the habitat in Australia, and it can be challenging to make your bearded dragon thrive rather than simply survive.
Dislikes
Moshu
Chinese Water Dragon​
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Physignathus cocincinus
Meet Moshu, our charming female Chinese Water Dragon! This little lady is quite the insectivore, eagerly munching on a variety of tasty bugs. She also loves to splish splash in her bath, making it her favourite part of the day! Her vibrant green scales and playful personality, Moshu brings joy and excitement to our home.
Special skill
Turtwig & Co.
Red-footed tortoises​
Chelonoidis carbonarius
You can find our creep of red-footed tortoises living in Iguana Walkthrough.
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Turtwig, Oogway, Tortuga, Dottie, Cooper and Olive all live together in our massive S. American walk-in enclosure - but they also get lots of enrichment outside on the farm.
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All of our red-footed tortoises are rescued or rehomed animals. This means animals that either needed to be rehomed by their previous owners because circumstances changed drastically, not because they were mistreated.
Special adaptation
Sahara & Co.
Leopard tortoises​
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Stigmochelys pardalis
The Reptile Academy is also home to another creep of tortoises - the Leopard tortoises!
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Sahara, Alexandria, Little Giza and Minime have all joined The Reptile Academy in 2025 as rehomes. Leopard tortoises, like all tortoises, live a long time (around 80 years) and this longevity is the single biggest reason why tortoises are high up on the risk of being rehomed. Your pet is likely to outlive you!
Special skill
Carlo
Royal python​
Python regius
One of the most popular animals at The Reptile Academy is Carlo the Royal python.
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Rehomed to us in 2016, Carlo was the first animal in our collection for us to offer a new forever home to. He also predates The Reptile Academy, having been with us two years before our inception in 2018.
Personality trait
Merlin
Sailfin dragon​
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Hydrosaurus sp.
Sailfin dragons are large, semi-aquatic lizards from Southeast Asia, known for their distinctive sail-like dorsal crests and impressive swimming abilities.
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Sailfin dragons belong to the genus Hydrosaurus in the family Agamidae, with five recognized species: Hydrosaurus pustulatus (Philippine Sailfin Dragon), H. amboinensis (Amboina Sailfin Dragon), H. microlophus, H. celebensis, and H. weberi. They are native to Indonesia, the Philippines, and New Guinea, typically inhabiting forests, wetlands, riverbanks, and mangrove swamps. Each species has slightly different coloration and size, but all share similar ecological and behavioral traits.​
Qualified in
(So dramatic & attention seeking)
Macho & Pembe
Yellow-crested Jackson's Chameleons​
Trioceros jacksonii xantholophus
Two smaller residents at The Reptile Academy, Macho and Pembe are native to the Eastern Slope of Mount Kenya.
In Swahili, (the language of Kenya) Macho and Pembe mean Horn and Eyes, referring to their triceratops-like horns (in males) and deconjugate vision!
Specialised adaptations