The Big Pet Project is the show packed with some of the most unusual, clever and downright adorable pets you'll see on TV. Jump in the Pet Mobile with Adam and Demi for an animal road trip.
It's full of the coolest pets in Ireland, including an amazing bird of prey - Dutch the Harris Hawk. Press play up top to see him in action.
YouTube star Adam Beales meets owner Adam, who is here to tell everyone his unusual pet. Dutch, his young hawk is less than a year old and is still growing. He will get a little bigger, especially when new, thicker and brighter feathers come through in summer.
Adam got into birds of prey because his dad and a friend took him out flying their hawks. He says he "fell in love with it instantly," especially the thrill of watching such powerful birds soar through the sky.
Harris Hawks like Dutch are known for their intelligence. But that doesn't mean just anyone can keep one as a pet. You need to complete a course, apply for a licence, and have a wildlife ranger inspect your property to make sure everything is safe and suitable.
The Big Pet Project is streaming now on RTÉ Player and you can watch it Saturdays at 5.15pm on RTÉ One.
What do we learn about Harris Hawks?
- Harris Hawks are part of the raptor family, like "modern day dinosaurs".
- Like all raptors, they are predators with sharp claws and curved beaks.
- They hunt animals such as mice, squirrels, lizards and even other birds.
- Their brilliant eyesight helps them spot movement before swooping in to attack.
- In the wild in America, Harris Hawks nest in cactus trees.
- Unlike most birds of prey, they live and hunt in groups and have been known to take down animals much larger than themselves - even deer.
And Dutch isn't the only star of the show. In Episode 1 the Pet Mobile has parked up in Wicklow to meet loads more weird, wacky and wonderful pets. Adam and Demi take some Alpacas for a walk, train a talented Chihuahua and get up close and personal with some pet snails.
And in the surgery, resident vet Doctor Bobby is treating a pygmy hedgehog with a tooth ache and we meet Scout the surfing sheep dog.
The Big Pet Project is streaming now on RTÉ Player.
To find out more about great shows for young people and all the family from RTÉ Kids visit www.rte.ie/kids.
