The Main Attraction ============== Amazonia is an indoor rainforest attraction situated within M and D's theme park. We visited M and D's on a pretty cold day and it was lovely going inside to warm up even if the humidity made my glasses steam up. There are a number of animal, bird, fish and insect exhibits set amongst jungle foliage and butterflies and birds fly around freely.
The insects are thankfully all behind glass, I don't think I would have coped with a giant bird eating spider or massive millipede on the loose. The different coloured tree frogs were a massive hit with the kids, especially when they walked up the inside of the glass using the sticky pads on their feet. The monkeys were lovely to watch but I felt sorry for them being stuck in such small enclosures. The koi carpswimming around seemed to congregate near to the place where the food vending machines were sited and for 50p you can buy a small handful of food to throw to them.
I found the ant rope fascinating. The leaf cutter ants make their way from one side of the bridge where leaves are placed to their nest on the other where you can they compost the leaves. Its amazing to watch the tiny insects carry leaves bigger than themselves and see them all working together.
There is one part of the exhibition which is darkened and contains amongst other creatures a cayman and fruit bats. I have always loved bats and have seen them flying outside many times and I really enjoyed seeing them all nesting and occasionally swooping down their enclosure for a piece of food. Handling Sessions ============= For an extra pound per person, you can go to one of the many handling sessions. There were around 20 people in the room and you had a chance to handle two different types of snake (a corn snake and a python) a tarantula and a terrapin. I found the limited choice of animals for the handling session slightly disappointing as I have been to other handling sessions where they had more species.
The keeper talked about each of the species at great length and had an obvious love for the animals. I love how snakes feel when you hold them and the corn snake decided it was going to try and slither up my sleeve!
I have a massive fear of spiders but had a deal on with my daughter that if she got over her fear of heights and went on a rollercoaster then I would hold a spider. I actually find tarantulas less scary than the average spider, probably because it looks fluffy and cute but I was still pretty shaky when I put my hands down for it to walk over them but managed to not freak out. Let's hope I show as much courage the next time I find a spider in the bath.
Overall ===== I loved Amazonia and could have spent hours in there just taking in all the sights and sounds within this oasis of calm. Unfortunately the boys (aged 6 and 7) were more interested in getting back outside to go on more rollercoasters so I never got to spend as much time here as I wanted to. I would recommend this as an add on to your day at M and Ds but you cannot really spend more than an hour in there so the stand alone prices are pretty expensive. I would love to go back here again without the kids so that I can really appreciate it.
General Info =========
Amazonia is situated within M and D's theme park near Motherwell. An adult ticket costs £5.25, a child ticket is £4.25 and a family ticket is £15.45. We bought our tickets as an add on to the cost a wristband to M and Ds which cost around £2 per person. Once you have paid, you are free to leave and re-enter all day. Facilities inside are basic, just toilets and a small gift shop but there are various eateries within the main theme park.
For more info go to http://www.ama-zone-ia.com/website/home.html
Pictures of Amazonia, Motherwell
Tarantula
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Oct 19th, 2008
(Oct 8th, 2008)
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