Joan Beauchamp Procter
Joan has a super sense of smell. She can smell anything, at extreme distances.
Get to know
Joan can also link her mind with reptiles, sharing thoughts, memories and emotions. Are you wondering why her superpower is enhanced smell? Did you know that snakes and lizards flick their tongues in the air to capture scent particles. They don't smell through their noses like us.
In the background of the drawing, behind Joan, is a Komodo Dragon: Sumbawa. Sumbawa became Joan Procter's particular pet and accompanied her when she walked around the London Zoo.
THE DRAWING'S HIDDEN TREASURE
SCIENCE SUPERHERO IDENTITY
In this fact-file find out why we turned Joan into a Superhero
Komodo dragons is a species of lizard found in the Indonesian islands of Komodo.
Joan pioneered the use of 'Vita-glass', which allowed natural light, needed by reptiles, to reach the animals.
Joan became expert in Komodo dragons. A dragon named Sumbawa accompanied her when she walked around the Zoo.
THE TOP QUARKZ CARD EXPLAINED
Reptiles are exothermic (cold-blooded) creatures. They need an external heat source to stay warm. If they get too cold they will suffer and could die.
Born: 1897
Died: 1931
Occupation: Herpetologist
Died: 1931
Occupation: Herpetologist
Joan Beauchamp Procter
TRUE IDENTITY
Discover the story of Joan Procter, in this video reading of the book Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor . This reptile-loving little girl grew up to be one of the world's leading zoologists and changed the way we look at reptiles!
Video credit: Give us a Story
Later Joan was elected as a fellow of ZSL, she had become an expert in the routine handling of animals such as large pythons, crocodilians and Komodo dragons and also had two species of reptiles named after her: Buhoma procterae (snake) and Testudo procterae (tortoise).
Joan's passion for nature began at a young age and she kept many reptiles as pets. At 19 she wrote her first paper about the Pit Viper.
E.W. MacBride
She preferred a large green Dalmatian lizard as a plaything instead of dolls
WHAT'S A HERPETOLOGIST ?
Herpetologists study of reptiles and amphibians, they might spend time in offices, labs or spent outdoors in the field.
Video credit: NCSU BIT
What Does a Herpetologist Do?
A Day in the Life of a Herpetologist! Meet herpetologist, Stephany Hernandez! She helps care for the Zoo's many reptiles and amphibians.
Video credit: OKC Zoo
Fun Facts
Snakes have much slower metabolisms and some types of snakes can go months without eating.
Snakes and lizards flick their tongues in the air to capture scent particles.
Find out which types of animals are reptiles and what all reptiles have in common.
What do reptiles have in common?
DID YOU KNOW ?
Komodo dragons were discovered in 1910 on an Indonesian island. They can climb trees, swim and run 29km per hour.
Komodo Dragons?
Video credit: sciencewithkids.com
Video credit: Happy Learning English
Joan thought crocodiles were pretty amazing, she even took one to school! Check out this video and learn some amazing facts about crocodiles.
Amazing Facts About Crocodiles
Video credit: National Geographic Kids
The Aldabra tortoise can live for more than 150 years.
Snake scales are made of keratin, the same substance that makes up the hair and fingernails of humans.
Want to discover more? Why not read a book about Joan and learn more about one of the one of the greatest zoologists who ever lived or dive into the world of our science superheroes
Joan features in our card game: Top Quarkz
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