Our animals are at the heart of everything we do. Each one is an individual, with their own personality, likes and dislikes, and their welfare always comes first. From reptiles and mammals to birds and invertebrates, they help people learn, connect and see animals in a new way.
Some love meeting new people and come out to sessions often. Others prefer a quieter life at home, and that’s fine too. We choose who comes out based on how each animal is on the day.
Get to know them below.
Penny might be small, but she has a big personality. Whether she’s chatting, whistling or just being nosy, she’s always up to something. She’s a little shy in public, so you’re more likely to hear her chatter on our social media.
Smelly, splashy, and utterly impossible not to love. They waddle into every session like they own the place, quacking their opinions and somehow managing to make everyone smile, no matter how muddy they are.
Whether they’re stealing the spotlight from the snakes or demanding extra treats, they’re always the stars of the splash zone. There’s just something about their happy chaos that reminds everyone that joy can be found in the simplest, soggiest moments.
👉 Why meet a duck? If you love animals with attitude, Ducks will have you laughing and charmed within minutes!
Each of our chickens has their own quirks, from the bold ones who march straight over to say hello to the ones who’d rather watch from a distance. Unlike some of our other birds, they can fly, so they only come to sessions where there’s the right kind of space for them.
Chickens are much cleverer than most people expect. They can recognise individual faces, use a whole range of different calls to talk to each other, and some will happily settle on an arm once they feel safe.
Owls are birds of prey, and we care for them and handle them as birds of prey, not as pets. Each of our owls has their own personality, and they come out to sessions so people can see them up close and learn about them.
When the group size is right and the owl is relaxed and happy, visitors may get the chance to hold an owl on a falconry glove. We never let people touch or stroke our owls.
Thistle, an Indian scops owl, was our first owl. She’s small, sharp-eyed and very good at looking mildly unimpressed. She’s settled and confident around people, and she makes it clear when she’s had enough.
Bramble is also an Indian scops owl, and the more curious of the two. Watch for her head tilt. Owls can’t move their eyes in their sockets the way we can, so they bob and tilt their heads to judge distance and pinpoint sounds.
Merlin is our white-faced scops owl. When white-faced scops owls feel threatened, they change shape: puffing up and spreading their wings to look bigger, or pulling their feathers in tight and stretching tall and thin to pass as a broken branch. Merlin mostly saves the drama for feeding time.
Oak, our tawny owl, came to us after retiring from flying displays. He’s calm and unhurried, and he’s earned a quieter life. Tawny owls are the owl you’re most likely to hear at night in Wales, and the famous “twit-twoo” is usually two owls calling to each other.
Our African pygmy hedgehogs are small, snuffly and much more relaxed than most people expect. When a hedgehog feels safe, they’ll uncurl and wander about on tiny feet, nose first, investigating everything. Their spines feel a bit like a hairbrush.
They’re a different species from the wild hedgehogs you might see in your garden, and meeting them is a lovely way to talk about our native hedgehogs too. Wild hedgehog numbers in the UK have fallen sharply, and small things like a gap in the bottom of a fence can help them find food and shelter.
Our rabbits each have their own way of doing things. Mischief, our giant rabbit, is bigger than some dogs and has no idea, while Ryan is calm, patient and happy to settle for a gentle stroke. Jack and Jill, and the rest of our rabbits, each bring their own personality too.
Rabbits are prey animals, so feeling safe matters a lot to them. We let them come out on their own terms and give them plenty of time to settle. Watch for a relaxed rabbit stretching out or flopping onto their side, which means they feel completely at ease.
Our small mammals are some of the most surprising animals we work with. Guinea pigs chatter, squeak and “wheek” to talk to each other (and to anyone holding a bag of veg). Rats are clean, clever and very social, and they’re much gentler than their reputation suggests. Mice are quick, curious explorers who turn every space into an adventure.
Each one has their own personality, from the bold ones who come straight over to investigate to the ones who’d rather watch from somewhere cosy. Some love a gentle hold, others prefer to be watched, and we always follow their lead.
Fred is our calm, laid-back cat, who enjoys gentle strokes and a warm lap. Fraser, a Ragdoll x Persian, is our younger cat, and he’s still getting to know the world one new person at a time.
Both join some of our care home and wellbeing visits, but only when they’re relaxed and happy to come along. Cats tell you a lot through their body language: a slow blink is a friendly hello, while a twitching tail or flattened ears mean it’s time to give them some space.
Our blue-tongued skinks are calm, sturdy lizards who take life at their own pace. They’re often one of the easiest reptiles for nervous visitors to meet, because they’re slow, steady and happy to be gently stroked once they’re settled.
And yes, the tongue really is bright blue. In the wild, when a skink feels threatened, it opens its mouth wide and flashes that blue tongue. The sudden colour can startle a predator long enough for the skink to get away.
Barry is our chameleon, and he’s a master of moving slowly. Chameleons sway gently as they walk, which helps them look like a leaf moving in the breeze.
His eyes can move separately, so he can look in two directions at once. And while most people think chameleons change colour to hide, they mostly change colour to show how they’re feeling, to warm up or cool down, and to signal to other chameleons.
Barry can be handled, but he doesn’t come out to sessions very often. Chameleons are sensitive animals who prefer calm and quiet, so his outings are kept for times that suit him.
Calm, gentle, and surprisingly shy, our Royal Pythons are the royalty of the reptile world. Each one has their own unique markings and personality — from Princess Leia’s quiet confidence to Poe’s easy-going charm, Enfys’s inquisitive nature, and Obi-Wan’s wise, unflappable calm. They move slowly and gracefully, wrapping themselves into the perfect ball when they’re feeling cosy or curious.
Despite their regal looks, these snakes are among the most relaxed and friendly species you’ll ever meet. They love warmth, gentle handling, and the occasional chance to show off their beautiful scales under the light. Every encounter with them helps people see snakes in a whole new way — as peaceful, fascinating, and completely misunderstood animals.
👉 Why meet them? To discover that snakes aren’t scary at all — they’re calm, curious, and every bit as charming as their Star Wars namesakes.
Boba Fett and Phoenix are calm, gentle boas who move with slow, steady confidence. Despite their size, they’re relaxed around people and more interested in a warm arm than anything dramatic.
Boba Fett, named after the famous bounty hunter, is calm and patient. Phoenix has stunning colouring and a gentle nature. Together they show people that big snakes can be calm, gentle animals.
👉 Why meet them? To see a big snake up close, and find out how calm and gentle they can be.
Jabba is our reigning king of chill — a laid-back lizard with a love of basking, snacks, and attention. He’s been part of Animal Cwtch since the early days and has won countless hearts with his calm nature and unbothered attitude. Whether he’s sitting on someone’s arm or basking under his heat lamp, he takes everything in his stride.
Alongside him is Jade, our younger red bearded dragon, who is still growing and getting used to new people and places at Jade’s own pace.
👉 Why meet them? Because once you’ve held a Bearded Dragon, watched them wave, or felt their gentle calm, you’ll understand exactly why they’re some of our most loved reptiles.
Many people don’t realise that a tortoise’s shell is living bone with nerves running through it, so they can feel touch on their shell. Sheldon and Amy enjoy basking under their heat lamps, munching on leafy greens and plodding around at their own pace.
Slinky might be small, but he’s full of personality! Native to Madagascar, lesser tenrecs are insect-eating mammals that look a little like tiny hedgehogs — though they’re not actually related. Slinky loves exploring, climbing, and digging through leaves in search of tasty snacks. He’s endlessly curious and always on the move, especially when there’s something new to investigate.
He also loves coming out to meet people during Animal Cwtch sessions, charming everyone he meets with his tiny nose, gentle nature, and surprising confidence. Slinky may be one of our smallest ambassadors, but he proves that size has nothing to do with how much impact an animal can have.
👉 Why meet him? Come and say hello to Slinky at one of our events — he’s always ready to show off his big personality in a very small package!
If you rest your hand gently nearby, he may reach out and tap it with a leg. Tarantulas use the tiny hairs on their legs to feel and sense the world around them, so it’s his way of finding out who you are.
We also have Charlotte the Chilean golden knee, Bob the Brazilian black and Loco, calm tarantulas who help show people that spiders aren’t scary, just misunderstood.
Our cockroaches and millipedes may not get as much attention as the bigger animals, but they’re some of the most important creatures on the planet! These little critters are essential for ecosystems, breaking down waste and keeping the natural world in balance.
Our inverts include Millie the millipede, cockroaches Greg, Costa, and Jenkins, and our team of giant snails — all proudly named Gary!
These special animals helped shape who we are at Animal Cwtch. They weren’t just part of our team — they were part of our family. Each one was loved beyond measure and is deeply missed every single day. They brought comfort, laughter, and calm to so many, quietly teaching kindness and compassion through every visit and every gentle moment shared. Their pawprints, feathers, and tiny footprints will always be part of our story — their spirit lives on in every smile they helped create.
Jemima the Duck – The Heart of Our Flock
Jemima wasn’t just a duck — she was the duck. The one who stole every show, waddled straight into people’s hearts, and made every visit brighter. She absolutely loved meeting everyone, soaking up cuddles, and somehow managing to make each person feel like they were her favourite. She adored us all, and we adored her right back. Kevin could probably have done agility with that duck — she was clever, calm, and always up for an adventure. So many people have their own memories of Jemima, and every one of them carries a bit of her magic. She was one of a kind — the best duck imaginable — and she’ll always be part of our story.
Forever in our hearts and always part of our journey.
