On Wednesday, January 15, two educators and two volunteers from Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo visited Middle Gate Elementary to teach the children about predators and prey animals.

Andrew Connolly, an educator, showed off a few different animals to the kids. He began the presentation by reminding the students that the animals could hear them, so they needed to be quiet. Following this brief introduction, a volunteer, Marcia Fitzgibbons, showed off a collection of butterflies that showed both the unique beauty of a few species, and the amazing camouflage capabilities each possessed as well.

Connolly explained that butterflies are prey, and a type of invertebrate, and then brought out another kind of invertebrate to show the class. Concealed in a clear plastic container was a Brazilian Black Tarantula named Sandor. Some girls in the class leaned way back in their seats to get away from the spider as Connolly walked around explaining the defensive mechanism the spider possesses, such as using vibrations in a web to detect movement and throwing hairs from its back when it feels threatened.

The next animal, which caused a bit of excitement in the room, was a Mississippi Map Turtle named Galileo. Katie Ridder, a fellow zoo educator, brought Galileo around to the children and discussed the capabilities of the predator/prey hybrid. She explained that the turtle’s first defense is the shell, and a close second is the dark colors that help it blend into murky waters.

The next animal the educators brought out was a European Legless Lizard named Stubby. This predator could be mistaken for a snake at first glance, as the children pointed out. Connolly said that the lizard has a longer tail than a snake, and a bigger head to help the lizard tunnel through dirt and sand. He also made note of the lack of ears and eyelids on a snake, whereas a legless lizard can hear and blink.

Ridder then pulled out a Ball Python named Lucy. With Lucy in hand, Ridder and Connolly pointed out more differences between the two animals. Lucy is decorated with black, brown, and beige spots, whereas Stubby is a more even brown color, with some red tint on the back.

Ridder explained that Lucy’s body is mostly muscle, and she supported herself without Ridder’s help. Connolly compared the act to the “plank” exercise. Lucy, Connolly, and Ridder then challenged the class to a plank-off. After about a minute and a half, the last student fell, and Lucy was declared the winner.

Ridder and Connolly also explained the differences between predator and prey bone structure. For example, Connolly pulled out a crocodile skull and showed the children how the eye sockets face the front, and the teeth are sharp and interlock. Tim Rzasa, the other volunteer, showed off a deer skull. One of the students pointed out that the deer’s teeth were flat, and the eye sockets were on the side of the head.

Following the presentation, the educators answered all questions the children had.

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Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.