Meet The Team
The most important members of our team are the animals. From Bob, a Madagascan hissing cockroach, Tiny Tim, a giant African land snail to Ruby a boa constrictor, we love them all. If you'd like to get to know the team better click on the information link under their pictures below.
Russ is the founder and principle presenter. The Company name came about from his wife who finds the whole animal business and the shorts he insists on wearing (for the image you understand) very amusing. He also goes by the name of Big Russ, at 6'5" and a smidgen over 20 stone it sort of makes sense.
In terms of background, he has always has been animal mad. The first book he read was 'Life on Earth' by David Attenborough.
Past adventures have included a canoe safari down the Zambezi, trekking in the Amazon, swimming with hammer head sharks in the Galapagos Islands and trying (but failing) to find an Aye-Aye in Madagascar (Nosy Mangabe to be precise). After 3 hard years obtaining an Honours degree Russ spent 7 years working in London, before moving 15 years ago to Devon and now animals have became his job as well as his passion.
Based in London, Nick brings a wealth of experience from his 25 years of working in Investment Management in the City. He is a character who once you have met him, you won't forget. He is often referred to as 'the little one from Ranger Russ' as he is only 6' and 19 stones and therefore tiny when compared to Russ. Having excelled at Whitgift School (on the rugby pitch, not in the classroom) he didn't have the opportunity to waste time at University so went straight out and started working. He has helped 2 fledgling investment management companies grow over the last 2 decades holding numerous main board positions and now has a portfolio of non-executive directorships.
Nick's young daughters provide honest feedback on the presentations!
Since Nick's profile picture was taken he has outgrown his Tonka toy and got a proper old man's car....a Jaguar.
Giant African Millepede
Arthropod/Myriapod
Normally found in the rainforests of Africa on the East Coast and Southern Arabia. Millepedes can be found on every continent in the world apart from Antartica.
Rotting leaves and vegetation
lack Lemurs in Madagascar aggravate the millepedes by biting them to release their toxins they use to repel predators. They rub these toxins into their fur and it is used as an insect repellent like we use mosquito spray.
When they are born they only have 2 rings around their body and 6 legs, however, as they grow they shed their skin and in turn get a new ring and 4 extra legs.
In prehistoric times Millepedes grew up to 2m. Some millepedes today are only 2mm long.
Multi segmented invertebrates with anything from 11 segments to 100 and 850 legs. They can also grow up to 30+ centimetres.
Cockroaches have a very bad reputation for living in disgusting and dirty places. The reality is they are normally clearing up the mess we humans leave behind.
Not only can they survive off of eating almost anything in the world they have been known to live up to 4 weeks without a head.
Tarantulas
Arthropod/Arachnids
Mainly in the southern hemisphere where it is warmer and very often in rainforests.
Primarily insects but also other spiders and occasionally birds
Mammals, birds and other spiders
The Goliath Birdeater is regarded as the biggest spider in the world and can have a 30cm legspan and fangs up to 4cm.
Arachnophobia is often regarded as the fear of spiders but other arachnids include scorpions and ticks.
In Cambodia deep fried Tarantulas are considered a delicacy
Often large and hairy, there are almost 1000 species often referred to as spiders.
Scorpions
Arthropod/Arachnid
Everywhere including England (since late 1800's) except Antartica.
Anything from insects to mice and lizards
Birds, and meerkats
The larger their claws the less venomous their sting is.
A very traditional and revered dish in China
A very distinct arachnid with highly adapted pedipalps which are claw like in appearance at the front end with a segmented tail with a venomous stinger at the other end.
Giant African Land Snail
Gastropod/Mollusc
Typically East Africa in Kenya and Tanzania. Due to the pet trade it is now considered a pest and an invasive species, especially in Asia and the Caribbean.
Leaves, fruits, vegetables and most importantly bones to make their shell grow.
Lots of mammals and birds love eating snails (in the UK the song thrush lives almost exclusively on them).
Not only can you eat them and their eggs, their mucus or slime is widely used in the cosmetics industry. In the UK by Holland & Barrett market it under the brand name Dr Organic.
Heliculture is the farming of snails.
The largest known snail in the world growing up to 30cm but more typically about 15cm. Lives for up to 5 or 10 years.
Dog
Mammal/Mustalid
Normally kept as house pets but The Black Footed Ferret is naturally found in North America
They are obligate carnivores and can't eat/digest any vegetable matter
Humans, Foxes, Badgers and some birds of prey
Lady with an Ermine is a painting by Leonardo da Vinci from around 1489490. The ermine was a ferret
Ferrets were domesticated almost 2500 years ago
About 4000 ferrets were introduced into New Zealand in the late 1800's to help control the rabbit population. The estimated number today is in it's millions.
A domesticated member of the Weasel family (Stoats & Pole Cats)
Stick Insects
Insect/Arthropod
Warmer climates and normally in the Tropics
Leaves, trees and shrubs
Birds, other snakes and mammals
The largest stick insect grows up to almost 60cms
A member of the insect family that specialise in looking like their habitat, variants include Stick, Leaf and Ghost insects.
