Easter fun at the Stratford Butterfly Farm

Looking to inspire and entertain children during the Easter holidays? Look no further than the Stratford Butterfly Farm which is holding an exciting butterfly and insect quiz for children from 4 – 19 April. Children must solve the clues to work their way around the Butterfly Farm learning new things as they go.

Whilst on their way around the UK’s largest tropical butterfly paradise, visitors will be able to see a number of new fascinating arrivals. Two new spiders, the ‘Goliath Bird Eating Spider’ and ‘New River Rust Rump’ have settled in Arachnoland, safe in their glass homes.

The Goliath Bird Eating spider is considered to be the largest spider in the world and was named by explorers who saw one eating a hummingbird and reported the sighting. Native to the rainforest regions of northern South America, these spiders have up to a 30cm long leg span when fully extended. Despite its name, the Goliath Bird Eating spider does not normally eat birds but is one of the few tarantulas which can capture and eat a full-grown mouse.

The New River Rust Rump originates from Central America where it lives in the lower mountains and can withstand massive temperature fluctuations, even burrowing in snow. The spider is golden-yellow with rusty tan lower legs and rusty red abdominal hairs.

If you’re not too fond of giant spiders, then the Hercules Beetle, the most famous of the Rhinoceros Beetles, is definitely worth a visit. Native to the rainforests of Central and South America, they can also be found in coastal regions of North Carolina. Their title is well deserved with some males reaching 18cm in length making it one of the largest beetles known. The Hercules beetle is also said to be the strongest creature on earth for its size, able to carry 850 times its own body weight.

A display not to be missed is that of the stunning metallic Frog Beetles, from South East Asia. These amazing Beetles get their name form their large hind legs which resemble those of a frog. Their brightly coloured, highly reflective exoskeleton is so beautiful that the wing cases of these beetles are often used to make jewellery, they are a definite must see!

To see these fascinating spiders, insects and hundreds of spectacular butterflies visit the Stratford Butterfly Farm from 10:00am till 6:00pm. For more information log on to Butterflyfarm.co.uk.