The Elephant

Elephants are the largest land mammals in the world. Asian elephants
are smaller than African elephants. They are the only mammal that
cannot jump. They live in herds and eat leaves, grass and tree bark.
They may spend an average 12 – 18 hours a day eating. An adult
elephant will eat between 90 kg to 272 kilograms (200 to 600 pounds)
of food and drink 190 liters (50 gallons) of water per day.

Elephants have poor eyesight but an amazing sense of smell. They

can smell water from up to 19 kilometers (12 miles) away. The ears of
an African elephant are about 1.3 meters (4.3 feet) long. Their ears
are made up of a complex network of blood vessels which help
regulate their temperature. Blood is circulated through their ears to
cool them down in hot climates.

Elephants can live to be over seventy years old. They can get sun
burnt, so they protect themselves with sand. They usually sleep for only
two or three hours a day. Female elephants are called cows. They
start to have calves when they are about 12 – 16 years old and they
are pregnant for 22 months.

Elephants can swim – they use their trunk to breath like a snorkel in
deep water. The elephant’s feet are covered in a soft padding that
helps uphold their weight, prevents slipping and dulls any sound.
Elephants can walk almost silently.

Elephants are not scared of mice. They are however, scared of ants!
They steer clear of trees infested with ants, to avoid these tiny
creatures crawling up their sensitive trunks.

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 The Elephant- Questions
Choose the correct answer:
4. Elephants are the only land 1. An elephant is pregnant for…
mammal that can’t… a) 22 months.
a) Run. b) 14 months.
b) Jump. c) 36 months.
c) Swim. 2. The padding on their feet…
5. Elephants have… a) Allows them to cool
a) Poor eyesight. themselves.
b) Poor sense of smell. b) Allows them to walk silently.
c) Poor sense of hearing. c) Helps them float in water.
6. They use their ears… 3. Elephants are scared of…
a) As paddles when swimming. a) Mice.
b) To hear vibrations. b) Butterflies.
c) To regulate temperature. c) Ants.

Vocabulary – Write the meaning of the following words:

1. Complex:

2. Network:

3. Regulate:

4. Circulate:

5. Sensitive:

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 The Elephant - Answers

1. Elephants are the only land mammal that can’t jump.

2. Elephants have poor eyesight.
3. They use their ears to regulate temperature.
4. An elephant is pregnant for 22 months.
5. The padding on their feet allows them to walk silently.
6. Elephants are scared of ants.

Vocabulary:

1. Complex: Consisting of many different and connected parts.

2. Network: A group or system of interconnected people or
things.
3. Regulate: Control or maintain the rate or speed of (a
machine or process) so that it operates properly.
4. Circulate: To move or cause to move continuously or freely
through a closed system or area.
5. Sensitive: Easily damaged, injured, or distressed by slight
changes.

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 The Lion
Lions live in savannas, grasslands, bushes and woodlands. They
are the most social of all the big cats, and are the only cats to live
in family groups called prides. In a pride, lions hunt prey, raise
cubs and defend their territory together. Hunting is generally
done in the dark by the lionesses.

They have very few sweat glands so they will rest during the day
and become active at night when it is cooler. They enjoy relaxing
and can spend between sixteen and twenty hours each day
resting and sleeping.

When the lionesses have a successful hunt the males will eat first,
followed by the females and then the cubs. The main job of the
male is defending the prides’ territory. A male’s loud roar, usually
heard after sunset, can carry as far as 8 kilometers (5 miles). They
roar to communicate their position to other prides. The older the
male lion becomes, the darker his mane will become.

A lion will run from many creatures, including elephants. They can
run for short distances at 80 kilometers per hour (50mph) and leap
as far as 11 meters (36 feet).

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 The Lion - Questions
Choose the correct answer:
1. A group of lions is called… 4. After a successful hunt…
a) A pride. a) The males will eat last.
b) A family. b) The females will eat last.
c) A herd. c) The cubs will eat last.
2. You can tell the age of a male 5. Lions are…
lion by… a) Social animals.
a) Its size. b) Solitary animals.
b) Listening to its roar. c) Herbivores.
c) Looking at the color of its mane. 6. The function of the roar is to…
3. The main job of the male lion is a) Attract other males.
to… b) Attract other females.
a) Sleep. c) Communicate their position.
b) Protect the prides’ territory.
c) Hunt for prey.

Vocabulary – Write the meaning of the following words:

1. Savanna:

2. Territory:

3. Defend:

4. Mane:

5. Creature:

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 The Lion – Answers

1. A group of lions is called a pride.

2. You can tell the age of a male lion by looking at the color of
its mane.
3. The main job of the male lion is to protect the prides’ territory.
4. After a successful hunt the cubs will eat last.
5. Lions are social animals.
6. The function of the roar is to communicate their position.

Vocabulary:

1. Savanna: A savanna is a grassland ecosystem characterized

by the trees being sufficiently widely spaced so that the
canopy does not close.
2. Territory: An area of land under the jurisdiction of a ruler or
state.
3. Defend: To protect from harm or danger.
4. Mane: A growth of long hair on the neck of a horse, lion, or
other animal.
5. Creature: An animal of any type.

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 The Giraffe
Giraffes are the tallest of all the land animals. Their legs alone are
about 1.8 meters (6 feet) tall. They live in the savannas of Africa,
and are well known for their long necks, long legs and spotted
patterns. They usually live in groups of 2 to 6 giraffes.

No two giraffes have the same pattern. Their markings allow them
to hide among trees. Although their neck is 1.5 – 1.8 meters long
(4.9 – 6 feet), it contains the same number of vertebra as a
human neck.

They only need 5 – 30 minutes of sleep per day. They often

achieve this by taking quick naps that may last only a minute or
two at a time. They rarely lay down. They sleep and give birth to
their young standing up. They eat approximately 35 kg (77
pounds) of food per day, and can go up to two weeks without
water.

Their black tongue can extend almost 45cm (17 inches) and it is
frequently used for cleaning its nose. They have the largest eyes
of any land mammal.

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 The Giraffe - Questions
Choose the correct answer:
1. Giraffes are the… 4. They sleep…
a) Fastest of all land mammals. a) Lying down.
b) Tallest of all land mammals. b) Standing up.
c) Slowest of all land mammals. c) Mostly in the bushes.
2. They are well known for their… 5. They can survive without water for…
a) Spotted pattern. a) Up to 2 weeks.
b) Stripes. b) Up to 7 days.
c) Short tails. c) Not more than 2 days.
3. They sleep for… 6. They have the largest … of any land
a) 3 – 6 hours per day. mammal.
b) 3 hours per day. a) Heart.
c) 5 – 30 minutes per day. b) Brain.
c) Eyes.

Vocabulary – Write the meaning of the following words:

1. Savanna:

2. Vertebra:

3. Nap:

4. Approximately:

5. Extend:

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 The Giraffe - Answers
Multiple choice:

1. Giraffes are the tallest of all land mammals.

2. They are well known for their spotted pattern.
3. They sleep for 5 – 30 minutes per day.
4. They sleep standing up.
5. They can survive without water for up to two weeks.
6. They have the largest eyes of any land mammal.

Vocabulary:

1. Savanna: A grassy plain in a tropical or subtropical region,

with few trees.
2. Vertebra: Individual, interlocking bones that form the spinal
column.
3. Nap: To sleep lightly or briefly, especially during the day.
4. Approximately: Used to show that something is almost, but
not completely, accurate or exact; roughly.
5. Extend: Cause to cover a larger area; make longer or wider.

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 Dolphin
Dolphins are mammals, not fish. They are social animals who live
and hunt in groups. They have an average lifespan of about 17
years, and communicate with each other in whistles and clicks.

Dolphins eat fish, squid and other small marine life. They often use
a hunting tactic of circling fish into a tight ball. Then they take
turns going through the center of the ball to feed.

They can jump as high as 6 meters (19 feet) out of the water and
some can dive as deep as 300 meters (980 feet). Dolphins have
large and complex brains. Only one side of a dolphin’s brain
sleeps at a time. This allows them to be able to breath and to
watch out for threats even while they are resting.

They use a blowhole on top of their heads to breath. The Killer

Whale is the largest member of the dolphin family and can grow
up to 9 meters (30 feet) in length.

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 The Dolphin - Questions
Choose the correct answer:
1. Dolphins are… 4. They can jump as high as…
a) Fish. a) 10m out of the water.
b) Mammals. b) 6m out of the water.
c) Reptiles. c) 2m out of the water.
2. They communicate with each other 5. Dolphins breathe using…
using… a) Their nose.
a) Whistles and clicks. b) Gills.
b) Vibrations. c) A blow hole.
c) Their tails. 6. Only one side of their brain sleeps at
3. Their hunting tactic involves… a time…
a) Jumping out the water. a) True.
b) Diving deep. b) False.
c) Circling fish into a ball.

Vocabulary – Write the meaning of the following words:

1. Mammal:

2. Communicate:

3. Marine:

4. Tactic:

5. Complex:

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 The Dolphin - Answers
Multiple choice:

1. Dolphins are mammals.

2. They communicate with each other using whistles and clicks.
3. Their hunting tactic involves circling fish into a ball.
4. They can jump as high as 6m out of the water.
5. Dolphins breathe using a blow hole.
6. Only one side of their brain sleeps at a time – True.

Vocabulary:

1. Mammal: A warm blooded animal that feeds milk to its

young and that usually has hair or fur covering most of its
body.
2. Communicate: To share or exchange information, news, or
ideas.
3. Marine: Of, found in, or produced by the sea.
4. Tactic: An action or strategy carefully planned to achieve a
specific end.
5. Complex: Consisting of many different and connected parts.

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 The Whale
There are between 79 and 84 different species of whale known to
man. They are found in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres
and never meet or breed together. Their migration is timed so
that they are never in breeding areas at the same time.

Whales are large, intelligent animals. They feed on small marine

life called krill.

The Blue Whale is the largest animal on Earth; it is larger than any
of the dinosaurs! A single adult Blue Whale can eat 36,000kg of
krill per day. They catch their food mainly by diving and can
descend to depths of approximately 500 meters (1640 feet). Its
heart is as big as a car, and its tongue can weigh as much as an
elephant.

While fish swim by moving their tails from left to right, whales swim
by moving their tails up and down.

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 The Whale - Questions
Choose the correct answer:
1. Whales are found in… 4. Blue Whales catch their food…
a) The Southern Hemisphere. a) In groups.
b) The Northern Hemisphere. b) Mainly by diving.
c) Both Hemispheres. c) Mainly on the surface.
2. Whales eat… 5. The Blue Whale’s heart is as…
a) Krill. a) A car.
b) Small fish. b) An elephant.
c) Anything that is available. c) A house.
3. The largest whale is the… 6. Whales swim by moving their tails…
a) The Killer Whale. a) Up and down.
b) The Humpback Whale. b) Left and right.
c) Blue Whale. c) In circles.

Vocabulary – Write the meaning of the following words:

1. Hemisphere:

2. Migration:

3. Descend:

4. Depth:

5. Marine:

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 The Whale - Answers

Multiple choice:

1. Whales are found in both Hemispheres.

2. Whales eat krill.
3. The largest whale is the Blue Whale.
4. Whales catch their food mainly by diving.
5. The Blue Whale’s heart is as a car.
6. Whales swim by moving their tails up and down.

Vocabulary:

1. Hemisphere: A half of the earth, usually as divided into

northern and southern halves by the equator, or into western
and eastern halves by an imaginary line passing through the
poles.
2. Migration: The seasonal movement of animals from one
region to another.
3. Descend: To move or fall downward.
4. Depth: The distance from the top or surface of something to
its bottom.
5. Marine: Of, found in, or produced by the sea.

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 The Buffalo
There are two types of buffalo – the African and the Asian water
buffalo. They are dark gray or black and look like bulls. The
African buffalo is a large animal that can reach 2 to 3.4 meters
(6.8 to 11 feet) in length, 0.7 to 1.7 meters (3.2 to 5.6 feet) in height
and weigh between 300 – 861 kilograms (660 and 1900 pounds).

They feed mainly on grass and when grass is scarce, they may
eat shrubs and trees. The African buffaloes live in large herds
which can include up to a thousand buffaloes. Usually herds are
smaller with an average of 12 buffalo per herd. When they are
faced by predators, they will form a circle around the young, old
and weak buffaloes. This barrier is very effective in preventing
predators from reaching buffaloes that are not strong enough to
fight.

African buffaloes have poor eyesight and hearing, but they have
an excellent sense of smell. The average life of the African Buffalo
in the wild is 20 years. The bond between a mother and her calf is
very strong and the calf is completely dependent on its mother
for a period of one year.

Buffaloes are reported to kill more hunters in Africa than any other
animal. They are known to ambush hunters that have wounded
them. They have also been known to attack hunters that have
harmed them even years after the event took place. They are
good swimmers and often cross deep waters in search of better
grazing.

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 The Buffalo - Questions
Choose the correct answer:
1. A buffalo can live up to… 4. When under attack, buffaloes will…
a) 20 years. a) Run.
b) 50 years. b) Make a circle around weaker
c) 70 years. members.
2. The two species of buffalo are… c) Make loud barking noises.
a) African and Indian Water Buffalo. 5. Buffaloes have a…
b) African and Asian Water Buffalo. a) Great eyesight.
c) African and American buffalo. b) Great sense of hearing.
3. A group of buffaloes is called a… c) Great sense of smell.
a) A pride. 6. Buffaloes look similar to…
b) A school. a) A bull.
c) A herd. b) A huge horse.
c) A hippopotamus with horns.

Vocabulary – Write the meaning of the following words:

1. Predator:

2. Bond:

3. Ambush:

4. Wound:

5. Grazing:

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 The Buffalo - Answers

1. A buffalo can live up to 20 years.

2. The two species of buffalo are African and Asian Water
Buffalo.
3. A group of buffaloes is called a herd.
4. When under attack buffaloes will make a circle around
weaker members.
5. Buffaloes have a great sense of smell.
6. Buffaloes look like a bull.

Vocabulary:

1. Predator: An animal that naturally preys on others.

2. Bond: A force or feeling that unites people; a common
emotion or interest.
3. Ambush: To make a surprise attack on (someone) from a
concealed position.
4. Wound: Inflict an injury on (someone).
5. Grazing: To feed on land covered by grass.

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 The Cheetah
The cheetah is the fastest land animal in the world. It can reach
speeds of up to 113 kmph (70 mph). They can accelerate from 0
to 100 kmph (0 to 62 mph) in just three seconds! They do, however,
tire quickly and can only keep up this speed for a few minutes
before they are too tired to continue. When running, cheetahs
use their tails to steer, and they are the only big cat that can turn
in mid-air while sprinting.

They are smaller than other members of the big cat family and
weigh between 45 and 60 kg (99 and 132 lbs.). Their golden coat
with small black spots helps them blend in with their grassy habitat.

They hunt for food during the day and have amazing eyesight
that can spot prey from 5 km (3.1 miles) away. They have black
“tear drops” running from the corners of their eyes. These help
block out sunlight, which helps them in spotting their prey. They
cannot climb trees and have poor night vision.

Female cheetahs are solitary, whereas males will live in groups of

two to three individuals. These males are usually brothers.

Cheetahs cannot roar like lions. They have a range of

vocalizations such as purring, growling and contact calls that
resemble bird-like chirping. They only need to drink once every
three to four days. Cheetahs live short lives in the wild. They only
live for about ten to twelve years.

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 The Cheetah - Questions
Choose the correct answer:
1. The cheetah is the… 4. Cheetahs can live for…
a) Biggest of all big cats. a) An average of 10 – 12 years.
b) Fastest of all big cats. b) About 20 years.
c) Strongest of all big cats. c) An average of 5 – 10 years.
2. When running, they use their… 5. Cheetahs can…
a) Tails to steer. a) Roar like lions.
b) “Tear drops” to keep hydrated. b) Purr and growl.
c) Their ears to change direction in c) Make the same sound as an owl.
mid-air. 6. Cheetahs have…
3. Female cheetahs … a) Poor eyesight.
a) Can climb trees. b) Excellent night vision.
b) Live in groups of 2 – 3 cheetahs. c) Poor night vision.
c) Are solitary.

Vocabulary – Write the meaning of the following words:

1. Accelerate:

2. Sprint:

3. Population:

4. Vocalizations:

5. Resemble:

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 The Cheetah – Answers

1. The cheetah is the fastest of all big cats.

2. When running, they use their tails to steer.
3. Female cheetahs are solitary.
4. Cheetahs can live for an average of 10 – 12 years.
5. Cheetahs can purr and growl.
6. Cheetahs have poor night vision.

Vocabulary:

1. Accelerate: To begin to move more quickly.

2. Sprint: To run at full speed over a short distance.
3. Population: A particular section, group, or type of people or animals
living in an area or country.
4. Vocalizations: The act or process of producing sounds with the voice.
5. Resemble: To have qualities or features in common with someone or
something.

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 The Elephant
Elephants are the largest land mammals in the world. Asian elephants
are smaller than African elephants. They are the only mammal that
cannot jump. They live in herds and eat leaves, grass and tree bark.
They may spend an average 12 – 18 hours a day eating. An adult
elephant will eat between 90 kg to 272 kilograms (200 to 600 pounds)
of food and drink 190 liters (50 gallons) of water per day.

Elephants have poor eyesight but an amazing sense of smell. They

can smell water from up to 19 kilometers (12 miles) away. The ears of
an African elephant are about 1.3 meters (4.3 feet) long. Their ears
are made up of a complex network of blood vessels which help
regulate their temperature. Blood is circulated through their ears to
cool them down in hot climates.

Elephants can live to be over seventy years old. They can get sun
burnt, so they protect themselves with sand. They usually sleep for only
two or three hours a day. Female elephants are called cows. They
start to have calves when they are about 12 – 16 years old and they
are pregnant for 22 months.

Elephants can swim – they use their trunk to breath like a snorkel in
deep water. The elephant’s feet are covered in a soft padding that
helps uphold their weight, prevents slipping and dulls any sound.
Elephants can walk almost silently.

Elephants are not scared of mice. They are however, scared of ants!
They steer clear of trees infested with ants, to avoid these tiny
creatures crawling up their sensitive trunks.

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 The Elephant- Questions
Choose the correct answer:
4. Elephants are the only land 1. An elephant is pregnant for…
mammal that can’t… a) 22 months.
a) Run. b) 14 months.
b) Jump. c) 36 months.
c) Swim. 2. The padding on their feet…
5. Elephants have… a) Allows them to cool
a) Poor eyesight. themselves.
b) Poor sense of smell. b) Allows them to walk silently.
c) Poor sense of hearing. c) Helps them float in water.
6. They use their ears… 3. Elephants are scared of…
a) As paddles when swimming. a) Mice.
b) To hear vibrations. b) Butterflies.
c) To regulate temperature. c) Ants.

Vocabulary – Write the meaning of the following words:

1. Complex:

2. Network:

3. Regulate:

4. Circulate:

5. Sensitive:

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 The Elephant - Answers

1. Elephants are the only land mammal that can’t jump.

2. Elephants have poor eyesight.
3. They use their ears to regulate temperature.
4. An elephant is pregnant for 22 months.
5. The padding on their feet allows them to walk silently.
6. Elephants are scared of ants.

Vocabulary:

1. Complex: Consisting of many different and connected parts.

2. Network: A group or system of interconnected people or
things.
3. Regulate: Control or maintain the rate or speed of (a
machine or process) so that it operates properly.
4. Circulate: To move or cause to move continuously or freely
through a closed system or area.
5. Sensitive: Easily damaged, injured, or distressed by slight
changes.

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