Mini Kid 2 Keeper

As part of Daniel's birthday present we got him a Mini Kid 2 Keeper experience at the Reptile Park. After coming down sick with tonsillitis it was touch and go but thanks to antibiotics he was mostly better so we decided to still do it. Mum and Dad met us there with Oscar as they were going to have Oscar and Eliza for the night and look after them and Alexander while Daniel and I went to the program. It worked really well.

After checking in we said bye to the others and waited in reception to start the program. Daniel got his name tag and then was very excited while he waited.

The keeper then brought over a tawny frogmouth for the kids to pat. Daniel said that it felt very soft. 

We then walked over to the bbq area to meet some reptiles. The kids had the option to hold or pat each one. I could tell Daniel was still not 100% as he was very reserved, sat with his hands in his pockets most of the time and just listened, didn't call out answers or ask questions. At one point he came over to me because he just wanted a hug. But he was still enjoying the program.

The first reptile that Daniel held was a blue tongue lizard. The kids were shown that you need to hold it under its stomach because it doesn't like to fly by holding it over its back. We were also told that its tongue is blue so that it doesn't get sunburnt and also so that other animals think it is poisonous (which Daniel recalled to James at night).

The next reptile was a spotted python. Daniel wasn't keen to hold it but he was ok with patting it. He didn't want the snake to turn towards him though.

Next was a bearded dragon. Again Daniel didn't want to hold it but he was happy to have it sit on his leg. The guide said that the best way to hold a bearded dragon is to have it hold you. 

He did pat it too. He noticed that it actually felt soft, even though it looked really spiky. This is again a way that it tricks predators. 

Next was a corn snake. It is called that because its stomach looks like corn on the cob. It is also found in corn fields. It was quite a wriggly snake so Daniel was hesitant to hold it again. He was ok with patting it again.

The next animal was very exciting for Daniel! He had been wanting to play with star tortoises since he got his gift. Unfortunately he didn't get to play with it but he did get to hold a leopard tortoise. It is the 3rd largest tortoise when fully grown. This one still has a lot to grow. Daniel learnt that tortoises tend to live on land where turtles live in the water. Tortoises have feet for land while turtles have flippers to swim well in the water. It was cool to hear all that Daniel hear and took in from this experience.

Next we went over to the Rainbow Lorikeets where the kids could go in and feed them. Daniel was very hesitant to do this. He stood in the enclosure with his hands in his pockets for most of it. I don't know if it's because he wasn't feeling great or if he was nervous about the birds.

But he did get there in the end, collecting some oranges and tried to hold them up to the birds. The lorikeets though weren't keen for food though but the kids had fun placing them around the place.

Next we got to feed our kids. They had some banana bread and some bottled water.

Then we got to go over to the birthday boy, Hugo! Today was his 65th birthday. Daniel and the other kids were able to go into his enclosure to give him a pat. Daniel felt his shell and his foot. He said this was his favourite part of the program.

 Next we headed into the Koala enclosure. Daniel was able to pat and chat with 2 koalas - Milo and Maisy. They were very cute and enjoyed their pats. Milo even looked up at Daniel while he was patting him.

Patting Milo

Saying hello to Maisy

 The last part of the program was going over to the kangaroos and feeding them. When we did this in Tasmania the kids LOVED it! The kangaroos here through weren't that interested in eating. It was quite different. But it was still fun for him to do. He even got to feed the joey, Jellybean.

Daniel decided that he would like to try feeding the kangaroos later with Oscar, Eliza and Alexander. After the Reptile Show finished they came over the the kangaroos and tried to feed them. They still weren't very interested but it was fun trying to feed them. Oscar laughed when the kangaroo put it's mouth in his hand, saying that it was very wet and cold.

Because Daniel wasn't feeling great we had lunch and then headed home but we had to go via the dancing spider (of course!). It is his favourite part of the Reptile Park.

A great day and a fun program. I look forward to taking Eliza in 2 years to have the same fun.