PUPILS took a walk on the wild side when some of the inhabitants of Shepreth Wildlife Park visited Greneway School in Royston. The Year 5 class were given the opportunity to get a close-up view of animals, including a python called Tabitha, a hissing cock

PUPILS took a walk on the wild side when some of the inhabitants of Shepreth Wildlife Park visited Greneway School in Royston.

The Year 5 class were given the opportunity to get a close-up view of animals, including a python called Tabitha, a hissing cockroach, and an Australian blue-tongued skink.

Class teacher Jonathan Ringer said: "A lot of the children are currently on a residential trip, so we arranged a number of activities for those that were left behind.

"They were looking at mini-beasts and the natural environment, so this was a chance to look at the animals and ask the keepers some questions."

As part of the week-long programme, the pupils also visited Cuffley Camp and produced a Newsround-style news bulletin about the environment.

While the snake proved to be a big favourite with the class, it was a more common animal that was most popular.

Mr Ringer said: "The keepers brought a hedgehog with them, and there were a lot of questions asked about that.

"It's an animal that the children are already familiar with, and have probably seen in its natural environment, so I think they were really keen to find out more," he said.