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Animalympics -
The Wonders Of The Animal World

Did you know that if you had legs as powerful as a flea’s, you could jump the Eiffel Tower? Or if you were a Monarch butterfly, you could detect the scent of your lover eight kilometres away?

The animal kingdom is constantly outperforming humans with feats of brilliance and with spring just around the corner 2010’s International Year of Biodiversity is encouraging us to celebrate the variety of creatures nature has to offer, including the wildlife in our local area.

But what on earth is Biodiversity? Put simply, biodiversity is the variety of life, from fish in the oceans to birds in the air through to insects in your back garden.

From the cheetah that can outrun sprinter Usain Bolt to the chameleon whose tongue can stretch longer than its body, nature is full of heroic accomplishments. And this year’s Science: [So what? So everything] campaign is highlighting the superheroes of the animal kingdom. Fortunately you don’t have to go to a zoo or on safari to see the planet’s most amazing animals.

Without heading too far away from your home, you could see for yourself some of the super hero traits of the animal kingdom in action, like the ant that can carry twenty times its body weight; and the cockroach that can live nine days without its head! Here are some places across the country that families can take their children to, in order to explore the wonders of the natural world:

South East

Long Down Farm, Ashurst This working dairy farm features a large collection of animals that can be fed and stroked. The pens are set out along a path, which makes it easy for very young feet to get around. http://www.longdownfarm.co.uk/

East Head, West Sussex At the mouth of Chichester Harbour, East Head is a remote, narrow split of sand and shingle beach punctuated with dunes and mudflats. Families can get away from it all in the wilderness area near the mouth of the harbour, where the sensational coastline becomes increasingly dramatic and exposed. Like the harbour itself, East Head is a great place to see a diverse population of overwintering birds. http://www.westwitteringbeach.co.uk/east_head.html and http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/

New Forest National Park, Hampshire The New Forest National Park is a unique landscape of ancient woodland, heathercovered heath, wide lawns, boggy mires, gentle farmland, coastal salt marsh and mudflats and picturesque villages. Visitors can enjoy a host of sights that make a trip special, including ancient oaks, wild flowers, fungi, deer, reptiles, birds of prey and dragonflies. http://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/visiting.html

South West

Northam Burrows, Devon Northam Burrows, now a Country Park, lies at the western edge of the Taw Torridge Estuary and lies within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Burrows forms an integral part of the newly designated United Nations Biosphere Reserve. It had its origins in Saxon times, when it was the Manorial Wasteland. http://www.northam-devon.co.uk/burrows1/index.htm

The Lizard NNR, Cornwall The Lizard NNR is a complex of numerous isolated sites and has two main habitat types: coastal grasslands & heaths and inland heaths. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/

Bristol Zoo Gardens, Bristol Over 160 years of nurturing and garden artistry has established 12 acres of rare beauty and outstanding variety. Apart from the fascination of the animals, the gardens provide botanical and educational interest as well as an enjoyable horticultural experience for all. http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk/

West Midlands

Birmingham Nature Centre, Birmingham With well over 100 different species from around the world, the Nature Centre is the place to discover the wildlife of the world. http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/naturecentre

Shropshire Hills, Shropshire The Shropshire Hills are designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty http://http://www.shropshirehillsaonb.co.uk/

Malvern Hills, Worcestershire The area is famed for its dramatic hills and for the pure spring water that flows from them. It is home to a wide variety of wildlife. http://www.malvernhillsaonb.org.uk/

East Midlands

Lincolnshire Wolds, Lincolnshire The chalk hills of the Lincolnshire Wolds roll northwest-southeast between the Humber and the Wash. A peaceful and expansive landscape with fine views, the Wolds have been sheep country for centuries. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/

Rutland Water Nature Reserve, Rutland The Reserve occupies a narrow strip of land running for 9 miles around the Western end of Rutland Water and covering a total of 600 acres. http://www.rutlandwater.org.uk/

Salcey Forest, Northamptonshire An oasis of nature and history only 7 miles from the centre of Northampton. Wildlife and history are in abundance at Salcey. So come and discover why elephants roamed the forest and where to find a roman road. http://www.forestry.gov.uk/salceyforest

Yorkshire and the Humber

Ikley Moore, West Yorkshire What may not be obvious to many visitors is the moor’s very significant nature conservation and historical interest. Although commonplace in northern England, heather moorlands of the type found on the moor are internationally rare. It is not only the vegetation of the moor that is important but also the bird species, particularly upland waders, which use the moor to nest and raise their young. http://www.ilkleymoor.org/

Graves Park Animal Farm, Sheffield The farm provides a popular home to some of the rarest breeds of farm animals in the country. You can get up close and personal with Tamworth pigs, Highland cattle and Jacob sheep, plus goats, donkeys and waterfowl. http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/index.asp?pgid=4210

North York Moors National Park, North Yorkshire Open heather moorland is the main feature of the North York Moors National Park. As the largest expanse of continuous heather moorland in England, it is home to precious wildlife such as curlew and merlin. Wild and remote, the Moors have a quiet drama of their own. From the high ridges there are far - reaching views over farmed dales and forests, and in late summer the heather flowers turn the moors into a carpet of vivid purple. http://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/

London

Bushey Park Lying north of Hampton Court Palace, the history of the park is inextricably linked to the palace, yet it has always had its own distinct rural character. The famous Arethusa 'Diana' Fountain forms the centrepiece to the equally famous Chestnut Avenue. Red and fallow deer; sandpipers, herons; three species of native woodpeckers; warblers, finches, tits, redwing thrushes; frogs, toads, newts. http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/bushy_park/

Mudchute Park & Farm Discover Europe's largest inner city farm in the shadows of Canary Wharf. From geese to llamas there's a wide variety of animals on show. http://www.mudchute.org/

Kew Gardens Explore glasshouses, landscapes and 250 years of history at the world's most famous garden. Climb to the treetops, delve into rainforest or discover more on a guided tour. http://www.kew.org/

North West

Knowsley Safari Park, Merseyside Situated on the Earl of Derby’s estate, just outside Prescott in Merseyside, Knowsley Safari Park offers visitors the chance to take a 5-mile drive in their cars through enclosures filled with wildlife including elephants, rhinos, bison, zebra, baboons, wildebeest, emus, tigers, and lions. http://www.knowsleysafariexperience.co.uk/

The National Wildflower Centre, Liverpool The centre offers an innovative visitor centre where you can learn about wildflowers in a family friendly place with nature at its heart. Events and activities are held throughout the year. http://www.visitliverpool.com/

The Lake District, Cumbria England's biggest and probably best known National Park. Its stunning landscapes attract visitors from all over the world and have inspired generations of authors and artists. http://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/

North East

Coast of North / South Tyneside Visit the coastal areas of North & South Tyneside and see the stunning cliffs, stumps and stacks, created through the power of the sea. Discover how beaches are made and how they are destroyed, just by counting the waves. http://www.visitsouthtyneside.co.uk/default.asp

Hadrian's Wall Path, From Tyne to Solway The 84 mile National Trail takes walkers along the riverside route in Tyneside, through farmland in Tynedale and the grazing upland section dominated by the Whin Sill escarpment. It then gradually descends to the rich pastures of Cumbria and finally the salt marsh of the Solway Estuary. http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/hadrianswall/

Druridge Bay Country Park, Northumberland A great place for the family interested in local wildlife with sand dunes, and rockpools to explore. The nearby visitor centre provides access to woodland trails. http://www.visitnorthumberland.com/

East of England

Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary, Norfolk At the Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary in Norfolk you will see Otters, Penguins and more than 30 permanent displays all showcasing the rich diversity of life under the waves. We also provide a safe haven for more than 30 sick, injured or orphaned seal pups which are annually cared for at the Sanctuary. http://www.sealsanctuary.co.uk/hunt1.html

The Butterfly and Wildlife Park Long Sutton, Lincolnshire Contains Tropical Butterfly and Bird Garden, Birds of Prey centre, Ant Room and Insectarium and Reptile Land. http://www.butterflyandwildlifepark.co.uk/

Scotland

Highland Wildlife Park, Inverness-shire Experience Scottish wildlife, past and present, and endangered animals of the world's mountain and tundra regions in the spectacular setting of the Highland Wildlife Park. http://www.highlandwildlifepark.org

Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick, East Lothian Get back to nature with a visit to this award-winning Wildlife Centre. Open all year, enjoy exhilarating sea air and breathtaking views at this all-weather visitor centre. http://www.seabird.org

Highland Safaris, Aberfeldy, Perthshire Based in Aberfeldy, Highland Safaris Gold Panning & Visitor Centre offer award winning Land Rover safaris and Off Road Driving as well as a chance to pan for gold in our purpose built panning flume at Scotland's first Safari Lodge. Enjoy a coffee in our Farm shop Cafe or explore our Discovery Garden and Deer Park. Something for everyone. http://www.highlandsafaris.net

Wales

Newport Wetlands, Newport This reserve to the south east of Newport is an ecological gem which was founded in 2000 to compensate for the loss of mudflats at Cardiff Bay. Its 438 hectares cover salt marsh, reed-beds, saline lagoons, wet grassland, and scrub, all providing good habitats for a range of species, especially wetland birds. http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/n/newportwetlands/

Snowdonia National Park, Snowdon Snowdon - Yr Wyddfa in Welsh - is the highest peak of England and Wales, in the middle of the Snowdonia National Park. It's a busy mountain with walkers and of course a railway, so the most visible wildlife is restricted largely to those of the feathered variety: buzzards, ravens, carrion crows and the occasional red kite can be seen on the lower slopes. But it's the plant world which gives the nature fan a thrill. In summer, the Snowdon lily is out, and only lives within the National Park. http://www.eryri-npa.gov.uk/

Bwlch Nant-yr-Arian, Mid-Wales Overlooking the Melindwr Valley and with the Ceredigion coastline of Cardigan Bay in the distance, Bwlch Nant-yr-Arian is a forested, lakeside haven for wildlife. Owned and managed by the Forestry Commission, it's a great location for red kites, buzzards and ravens and it's possible sometimes to come across the rarer, but equally impressive, goshawk or peregrine falcon. http://www.forestry.gov.uk/bwlchnantyrarian

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