Keepers at Living Coasts, Torquay’s coastal zoo, had to do a double-take recently when they discovered that European common lobster Homer had moulted for the first time in two years.
Aquarist Sam Worthington was particularly pleased, as it was the first time he’d moulted in her time at the charity zoo: “This exoskeleton is almost perfect - right down to the antennae and the eyes. Lobsters moult their protective outer shells in order to grow. It’s hard work – some die of exhaustion in the process. It’s made of chitin, a natural polymer related to glucose, which plays a similar role...
Two local names with international reputations are joining forces to help a very special - but largely unknown - species. Living Coasts, Torquay’s coastal zoo and aquarium, is linking up with Valeport, the Totnes-based underwater measuring instrumentation specialists.
The focus of their partnership is seagrass, a remarkable plant that flowers underwater and forms dense meadows in shallow coastal areas. These meadows capture carbon at a greater rate than tropical forests, making them important in combating climate change. Like coral reefs and rainforests, these underwater gardens...
They say you shouldn’t play with your food – but at Living Coasts this Christmas, that’s exactly what kids are being encouraged to do.
The coastal zoo’s Breakfast with Santa event features food, presents – and penguins.
Living Coasts spokesperson Phil Knowling said: “Children get a pancake to decorate. They can choose from things like banana, strawberries, chocolate drops, cream and syrup – they can draw a snowman or a penguin or Santa Claus himself – or they can just pile it all on and eat it!”
Santa will personally give every child a present, and then – as this is...
Kitley House Hotel is celebrating winning Gold and Silver in the prestigious Devon Tourism Awards 2019. The four* hotel was delighted to win Gold as ‘Wedding Venue of the Year’ against stiff competition from other leading businesses, and also scooped Silver in the ‘Business Events Venue’ category.
Kitley House Hotel received its two sparkling Dartington Crystal trophies at the Riviera Centre in Torquay on Thursday 28th November.
The Awards saw a record of 240 entries across 27 different categories, with 167 entrants - including Kitley - receiving judge visits as part of a...
We all love local. Local is about communities and families and neighbourhoods. Eating local reduces food miles. Shopping local stimulates the economy. Visiting local is great for attractions on your doorstep.
The weekend of 16th and 17th November is Locals’ Weekend at Living Coasts, when local people can visit Torquay’s coastal zoo for half price. On this occasion, local means anyone in the TQ and EX post codes. So you can live in Axminster (EX13), 48 miles from Torquay; Bude (EX23) – 74 miles away; or Lynton (EX35), a whopping 85 miles away, and still be local.
A major South West conservation charity has announced its patrons. Both are star names regionally and nationally.
Naturalist Nick Baker and broadcaster Judi Spiers have been unveiled as patrons of Wild Planet Trust, the charity that runs Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts in Torquay and Newquay Zoo in Cornwall.
These are the first patrons that the Trust, previously known as Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, has ever had. Executive Director Simon Tonge said: “We are very proud to announce Nick and Judi as patrons of Wild Planet Trust. We’re extremely grateful for their support...
England’s Seafood Coast is hosting England’s Seafood FEAST – and Torquay’s coastal zoo has a seat at the table.
Of course, seafood is always on the menu at Living Coasts – the penguins, seals and others all love fish. Penguins eat sprats, for example, seals eat mackerel. Guests, meanwhile, can try a local delicacy – mussels.
Spokesperson Phil Knowling said: “As part of England’s Seafood FEAST, Living Coasts is inviting people to enjoy fresh local mussels, accompanied by the panoramic views of the Terrace Café. And the food miles are almost non-existent, as the mussels come...
A ladies' skittles team from Exeter narrowly missed top honours at the weekend when they were runners up in the British Skittles Championships. Two Tribes from Exeter found themselves in the finals for the first time, facing previous champions the Dolly Mixers from Totnes.
The Dolly Mixers finally triumphed by just ten pins over Two Tribes in a rollercoaster final as each team took it in turns to take the lead. Final score was 338 – 328.
Two Tribes captain Barry Powell said his team played superbly and attributed much of their success to the superb facilities and support...
Zoo keepers at Living Coasts in Torquay are naming and shaming their naughtiest penguins. They’re writing the names of mischievous birds on a chalkboard for guests to see - and singling out others for their good behaviour.
The 63 African penguins and 12 macaroni penguins at Torquay’s coastal zoo mix freely with guests. But some penguins are better-behaved than others.
Zoo spokesperson Phil Knowling: “We’ve put up a board on which we write the names of the best and worst-behaved penguins, and what they’ve done. This gives guests a real insight into exactly what penguins get...
It’s an expensive time of year for birthday presents among the kittiwakes at Living Coasts, Torquay’s coastal zoo. The five adult birds all have birthdays between July 17th and August 7th. And now a chick has hatched on its mother’s birthday.
The kittiwake also hatched in the same nest and to the same parents as last year, when Living Coasts recorded its first ever breeding of this species. The kittiwake is listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
Senior Keeper Jason Keller has been keeping a close eye on things: “The chick seems...
