A PASSION for bugs and reptiles will give Ned Riley, who has autism, an opportunity to showcase his knowledge of exotic creepy crawlies at this year’s Devon County Show.
Vying for attention alongside the livestock next month will be reptiles, spiders and millipedes, all on show in a specially constructed jungle garden which will afford him the environment to share information visitors attending the show.
The opportunity for Ned, who hails from South Somerset, comes following the Show’s pledge to make the show more inclusive and accessible with several new features including a Quiet Zone for neuro divergent children.
Ned was lucky enough to spend a few weeks in Sri Lanka with his parents earlier this year.
His mum, Jane, was blown away by how Ned blossomed on the trip spending hours roaming the jungle terrain wearing a head torch and spotting extraordinary bugs with his keen eyes.
Amongst many other species, Ned found and captured on camera a Myrmaplata Plataeoides – a red weaver ant- mimicking jumping spider as well as a stunning luminous green vine snake.
Jane said: ‘I don’t think I’ve ever him so animated as he kept discovering bugs he’d only dreamt about seeing. I am now determined that Ned should try and make a career out of his very genuine talent.
Ned’s royal python snake, Horizon, boards whenever he’s away at Exeter Exotics, a reptile shop in Exeter with a five star Animal Activity Licence.
To show their support for Ned, the owners have generously agreed to provide him with four animals to exhibit. These include a Brazilian Black Velvet Tarantula, a Crested Gecko, a Corn Snake and some Burmese Beauty Millipedes.
The animals will be housed in locked, temperature-controlled vivaria complete with a habitat built to mirror their natural environment and will be available to view but not handle.
Jane added: ‘If you’re phobic about bugs, you should really try and pay Ned a visit. The more you understand about bugs and their purpose on the planet, the less frightening they become.’
The Devon County Show runs from May 16 to 17. For details visit www.devoncountyshow.co.uk