New aquarium arrivals fly the flag for Oz

Some new Aussie arrivals at Lakes Aquarium, at Lakeside in Cumbria, have turned up in time to fly the flag for Australia during an Ashes summer and demonstrate the power of camouflage.

Titan Stick Insects – Australia’s longest insect – have arrived at the leading visitor attraction right on cue, with the days ticking down to its exciting second August ‘Camouflage’ event (August 29-31).

These massive insects, which can reach 30 cm in length, are also known as the Great brown Stick Insect or the Great Brown Phasma and have the ability to hang motionless within plants, or even sway slightly as if with the breeze.

Their brown/grey colouring enables them to remain undetected, blending in to their background to appear as sticks, to fool predators such as birds and larger-sized animals.

In their native Australia, they feed on the leaves of Cypress trees, which have branches roughly the same size as their body, maybe explaining why they are so huge.

At Lakes Aquarium, they add to the species to fall under the spotlight during the Camouflage event. Some of the Aquarium’s fish will demonstrate the power of camouflage within tanks lined with chequered, striped and spotted backgrounds. Visitors will be able to witness how the fish adapt to this pattern to stay safe, as in the wild.

Many creatures at the Aquarium, from all corners of the globe, have mind-boggling camouflage abilities. ‘Camouflage’ will be enormously educational and fun thanks to the activities devised around this theme.

Those wishing to see the Titan stick insects, or visit the Camouflage event, can arrive at Lakeside by car, boat, train, bike or on foot. Standard admission will still apply during the special events, with tickets priced at £8.75 for adults, £5.75 for children and £24.95 for a family of two adults and two children. Online purchase saves up to 25 per cent.

Marketing Manager Cathy Burrows says: “We continuously create new events that highlight the exciting abilities of our creatures, so there is always something new and fresh to see at Lakes Aquarium. This is why we have so many annual pass holders who live locally and enjoy all our new developments all year round.

“Our animals and fish can teach families so much about the natural world and the clever adaptations that creatures make in order to survive. It would be a shame for families to miss out by not coming to our Camouflage-themed weekend.”

For more information, visit lakesaquarium.co.uk.