Dumbo Octopus
A hundred bucks you don’t know anyone who got their name because of their ears! Do you remember the famous Disney elephant Dumbo? Well, they thought I had ears like him, so they named me Dumbo too! I stay well below the normal levels at sea, almost on the ocean floor …very grounded, you might say. In fact, the only way to notice me would be if you see a jet of water. Look around and sure I’ll be there. Why do I do this? I swallow a large amount of water and then let it out all at once. This helps me move forward. I love changing colours because it confuses my enemies and you!
Aye Aye
That’s not answering a summons from the captain. That’s my name. But I think they call me that because they think I’m ugly. However, my folks beg to differ… I’m the apple of their eye. I stay on an island near Africa and it got pretty popular with the “Madagascar” series. Like some of you, I hate mornings too. I am sure that would be the reason why you may have missed getting to know me. Usually, I am curled up in the mornings and you could mistake me for the foliage! And, yes, I hate coming down from the tree. I am quite lazy that way. That’s why, I even look for food on the branches. Let me share my secret, and pray it remains one too! I first tap on the trees using my fingers and listen intently to hear if there is any movement under the bark. Nine out of 10 times I am lucky, as I find wood boring insect larvae. I use my long middle finger to fish them out. Smart aren’t I? And to think I am hunted down just because I look ugly and I am considered a bad omen too!
Superb Bird of Paradise
I am superb because no one can woo a lady like me. I am called Bird of Paradise because I look good. As a male, I am blessed with an ornamental and elaborate plumage. I am known for my bizarre yet fascinating courtship. I think someone above knew my weakness for green and blue and they blessed me with a metallic breast shield which is striking. My favourite word is ‘shre’ or ‘scheee’ and this is how I find my girlfriends. I am a loner and unless there is an absolute need, I hardly go out to meet another Bird of Paradise. However, I may meet up with other birds when foraging.
Star-nosed Mole
My name says it all! I am vain. Everyone considers me beautiful, thanks to my star-shaped pink nose. But what you don’t know is I am blind. With the help of my 25,000-touch receptors on my nose, I can sense things. When I am born my eyes are closed and my tentacles are folded. My organs become active only after two weeks, but it takes me a good 10 months to mature. I am taught to stay away from hawks, skunks, owls, minks, weasels and snakes. I am known as one of the fastest hunters. I live in a group called Labor, Company or Movement. Like my cousin, the rodent, I also love day and nights. But I am different because I swim in search of food.
Lamprey
You could easily mistake me for my cousin, the eel. I only look like her but I do have my own identity. I can live in fresh and salt water. I am not famous or popular because I am quite a parasite…literally. I live and feed off other fish. Did you know I use my teeth more for sucking rather than tearing. I live for 14 years and spend 10 of them in fresh water. I go to the high seas for a short two years and then I return to lay eggs. I can lay up to 100,000 eggs at a time but my life cycle ends here. Am not much liked by people and they use chemicals and electric fences to keep me away but sometimes, I do find my way around and love hunting white fish and trout!
Gerenuk
Am I a deer, or a baby giraffe? Neither. I am a gerenuk. People say they have not heard about me, which is surprising. Look at me, with a big body, a small head and a long neck.. how did I go unnoticed? I don’t drink water and can stay like that my entire life. I am also very territorial and will go to any extent to make a mark. I emit a tar-like, strong-scented substance that gets deposited on bushes. Those are MINE! What you can’t also not miss is the way I eat. I use my long neck to reach plants that grow high and stand on my hind legs to help me get higher. I use my forelegs to pull down tree branches. I have a super mom just like you. She fusses over me, cleans me up and eats whatever I waste so I would never be noticed by predators. She’s so cool, right?
