Simon Ritchie comes face to face with a host of creatures at a mini zoo and rare breeds farm in West Yorkshire.

IT'S unnerving to walk into a room of reptiles and find you can't see any of them.

You know they're in there (unless they've escaped). You can feel their eyes following you around. But can you see them? No. Not one.

We'd virtually given up hope of seeing any of the creatures who roam freely in the new Jurassic house at the Ponderosa Rural Therapeutic Centre, when, on approaching the exit, we saw our first lizard (I'm not sure what type it was) perched on top of a wooden building.

Then, we saw another one, then another. They must have been a little shy, or asleep earlier, or got wind that there was a boisterous toddler on the way.

But now they seemed to be full of the joys of spring. Well, as joyous as a Blue Tongue Skink can be.

The impressive iguana - which must have been at least four-feet long from the end of his nose to the tip of his scaly tail - seemed pleased to see us, and was happy to pose for a photo or two.

But it was hot in there, so hot it took your breath away. After several sweltering minutes admiring our new friends, we decided to leave them in peace.

Next we visited the snakes. Thankfully, unlike their friends in the Jurassic house, they were confined to their tanks.

This was just as well, because earlier one of them had taken a liking to a keeper, and had sunk his fangs into his hand.

"Luckily, it wasn't a poisonous one," said the keeper, pointing to the puncture wounds.

One of the most popular creatures at Ponderosa is a Cayman (a type of crocodile) called Snappy. It was rescued from Heathrow Airport after being dumped by its owner.

Apart from the exotic animals there are birds of prey including owls and kestrels, as well as macaws, ducks and swans - and the emus.

Elliot loved the cheeky marmoset monkeys, the mischievous meerkats, the wallabies and the nosy llamas, who wanted to know what everyone was doing.

At the small animal shed, which is home to rabbits, chinchillas, guinea pigs, racoons, as well as chipmunks, rats, mice and polecats, Elliot got the chance to stroke and pet some of the animals.

At the 20-acre site, at Heckmond-wike, south of Leeds, there are walkways which are suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, as well as disabled toilets and a baby-changing area.

When we visited last year, a huge adventure playground was being built, but this has now been taken down and a visitor centre and caf is being built in its place.

Ponderosa was set up to help people with learning difficulties learn about horticulture and agriculture, and it has developed from there.

The centre aims to ensure every person who visits benefits personally in some way, regardless of their age or abilities or disabilities, and also to help "bridge the gap between all these many varied people".

If you've never been to Ponderosa it's well worth the visit - just keep an eye out for those reptiles.

Fact file

Ponderosa Rural Therapeutic Centre, Smithies Lane, Heckmondwike

How to get there: Turn off M62 at Junction 27 (Ikea) and pick up the A62 towards Huddersfield. Through six sets of traffic lights and turn left into Heckmondwike centre, then turn right at the clock tower. Ponderosa is then sign-posted.

Admission: Adults £3.50, pensioners and children £3, children under two free. Family ticket, two adults and two children, £12.

Opening times: 10am to 4pm, seven days a week. Only closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

For more information phone 01924 235276, email ponderosa-farm@btinternet.com or visit the website www.ponderosa-centre.org

Updated: 08:34 Saturday, August 07, 2004