It was indeed a strange find. Dr. Splatt had not once seen anything like it, nor Ms. Roadrash for that matter. There they sat, on the banks of the Mananara River, peering down at the most remarkable creature. The two traveling companions had planned to meet a group of ecologists at the end of their rafting trip, in a small seashore hotel but instead they had been delayed. It had all started when Ms. Roadrash kept insisting to Dr. Splatt that his tie did not match his vest, nor did his shirt with his pants. Dr. Splatt found this to be quite insulting.
"Scientists don't have to match. Scientists like to dress spontaneously." They bickered for what seemed like forever until finally Ms. Roadrash fell off the raft and ended up sprawling face first into the water. "Oops, Ms. Roadrash, sorry about that." But she didn't hear him, and if she had she wouldn't have cared. Through the surface and up onto the raft she scrambled.
"Dr. Splatt! There's something furry down there!"
"Don't be ridiculous!" laughed the Dr.
"Check for yourself. It's something strange!" Dr. Splatt lifted a huge net, dipped it into the water and started swishing it around the bottom of the shallow river.
"You're right!"
"Of course I am. I'm no lunatic!"
"Well, I don't know about that Ms. Roadrash. Sometimes it's hard to tell." replied the Dr. After a few minutes of struggle the doctor was able to lift the creature up with the net.
"Seems to me this mammal fell in somehow. It must have gotten pulled down by an undercurrent and caught by some weeds at the bottom. Lets take this weird animal to shore and investigate." Dr. Splatt quickly paddled to the shoreline and tied the raft to a huge tree. All around them the tropical rain forest hummed with life.
They quickly hopped ashore with the unknown creature. He shook the net and a bundle of wet fur plopped out.
"It doesn't look like he was meant to go swimming", Ms. Roadrash pointed out.
"No, you're right. Looks like his hands are meant for gripping and swinging on high branches.
"Look at those big teeth and round, freakish eyes, Dr. Splatt. It's head looks awkwardly too big for it's small body! It looks about the size of a small fox. "
"Definitely not the kind of grim looking monster you'd find in New England. We could only find an animal this strange in Africa."
"That's some hairdo he has. His thick, brown and black, spiky hair stands straight on end!"
"Quite true. Almost looks like yours. He also has huge ears, a long plume-like tail, and this slender middle finger that looks longer and skinnier than all the rest. I wonder if it's used in eating?"
"Sorry to tear you away Dr. Splatt, but while we're on the subject of food, my stomach could use some right about now." Dr. Splatt sighed and rose to his feet.
"I spotted a coconut grove just beyond some trees there." On reaching the spot, Ms. Roadrash was elected to climb the tree since it was her stomach in need of replenishment. Ms. Roadrash inched her way up the tall limb. "You have superb climbing skills, Ms. Roadrash", Dr. Splatt yelled up.
"Thank you, Doctor" she yelled back as slowly inched her way to the top of the huge tree.
"What's this? Dr. Splatt, you'd be very interested to know that there is a large nest up here. It's been constructed with green leaf branches. I'm wondering if it could belong to that witchy creature back at the bank."
"Get your coconuts and let's go. We should hurry if we want to meet our friends before dark. We'll bring them all the information we've gotten about this animal. Maybe they'll be better detectives than we've turned out to be. Ms. Roadrash, would you please hurry up! "Ms. Roadrash attached a rope to the top part of the tree and quickly slid down with all her coconuts. Dr. Splatt, looked at her and started laughing. "You look so much like that dead animal. I hope they don't tell us it is a 'roadrash.'"
"Very funny,"
replied Ms. Roadrash. "Let's get out of this bamboo and coconut
grove and get back to the hotel. I just found out I am allergic
to coconut!"
Questions-all worth one point except for question 3.
Total points for this essay is 11 points. Essay is due no later than April 1. Good Luck!
1. What is the animal Dr. Splatt and Ms. Roadrash found?
2. What is the scientific name of this animal?
3. Describe two uses of the long middle finger of this animal.
4. Is this creature a nocturnal or diurnal animal?
5. What does this creature eat?
6.What is the scientific name for the coconut?
7.Rope made from the nuts husk is called_______
8. What country does this animal live in?
9. What is the capital of this country?
10. What colors are the flag of this country?
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