Don't run, CRAWL to grab the remote today and turn on The Big Pet Project as we celebrate some brilliant bugs in Co Galway - tune in to RTÉ One and RTÉ Player at 5.15pm.
The show is full of amazing animals from swimming cows to a soccer-playing turtle named Mbappé, but the most surprising stars of the episode are much smaller and have a lot more legs. Adam and Demi say hello to Grace's Giant Millipede and her Stick Insects. Press play up top to watch the fun now!
While most people might choose a dog or a cat, Grace proudly introduces her crawling companions. She loves the way they move across her hands and says it feels "like a toothbrush."
First up is the millipede - and no, it doesn't actually have a million legs. It has hundreds, which still feels like plenty when Demi holds it.
More millipede facts...
- It eats fruits and vegetables
- It can roll into a coil to protect itself
- If threatened, it can release a stinky gas to stop predators eating it
- It feels like a toothbrush when crawling on your hand
- It has small antennae it uses to explore
Then it's time for Grace to reveals her two stick insects. These are delicate creatures, so her dad helps her handle them.
Stick insects...
- Look like twigs, with yellow dots for eyes
- Have six legs, because they’re insects
- Have two antennae that look like legs
- Can fold up their legs to look even more like sticks
- Have three insect body parts: head, thorax and abdomen
They are both creatures with ancient histories and Adam is amazed by how much Grace knows about her unusual pets.
But did you know...
- People have been keeping stick insects as pets for over 1,000 years, since the Han Dynasty
- Fossils show stick insects existed 126 million years ago, walking the earth with dinosaurs
- Their main superpower is camouflage
- Some species can release a liquid that blinds predators long enough for a sneaky escape -masters of disguise indeed!
Also, on Episode 3 of The Big Pet Project, the Pet Mobile parks up in Galway to meet your weird, wacky and wonderful pets.
Adam and Demi are riding a farting horse and bidding on a calf in an auction. We meet a boy who fosters the cutest kitten and meet Mozart the very talented disability dog. Vet Dr Bobby is checking up on two very wriggly ferrets, and we go on a boat trip to see the dolphins, whales and the swimming cows of Inishskea.
The Big Pet Project is streaming now on RTÉ Player.
Check out the RTÉ Kids YouTube channel for more great clips and content from the show - subscribe here!
To find out more about great shows for young people and all the family from RTÉ Kids visit www.rte.ie/kids.
