2 Flytraps in danger

Chapter Two FLYTRAPS IN DANGER "So what do you think our mission is?" Gustavo asked. "Let's check out our equipment," Leah suggested "That might give us an idea." She brought the Beagle to a stop. The Beagle made a helpful BEEP, and an arrow lit up on the dashboard. pointing backward. Leah and Gustavo climbed out and

headed around to the back, where a compartment opened with a happy BING! sound from the Beagle. "Thanks, buddy!" Leah said. They looked through the gear the Exploration Station had provided. "We've got water bottles, food, sunscreen, a first-aid kit, and insect repellent," Leah said. Gustavo lifted out a large tablet with a compass logo on the back. "Look at all the apps on this!" he said. "HD camera, GPS, and communications so we can stay in touch with the others. But what's there at the back?"

Leah peered in. "A tent and some sleeping bags." "Cool," Gustavo said. "I can't quite figure it out, though. How can we help the Venus flytraps by going camping?" Leah shrugged. "Only one way to find out. Let's explore!" She started to go, but Gustavo stopped her. "Wait. We shouldn't leave the Beagle sitting out here for anyone to find." "But how are we meant to hide it?" asked Leah. Gustavo thought for a moment. "In World War II, they hid tanks in foliage so they wouldn't be spotted. We could do the same." "Thanks, History Explorer!" Leah said with a laugh. It didn't take Leah long to find a group of tall bushes, thick with leaves. They parked

the Beagle deep inside and moved the branches around to hide it. Taking only the tablet and the first-aid supplies with them for now, they set off. High above them, white birds with long yellowish beaks were passing by. "Pelicans!" Leah explained. "That means the ocean must be close, so we're in a coastal forest. There should be lots of amazing wildlife to spot."

Sure enough, a little gray shape soon went sailing past overhead, gliding from one tree to another with its arms and legs spread out. It had flaps of skin between its limbs that looked like wings. "Cool! What was that?" asked Gustavo. "A flying squirrel," Leah replied. "They don't actually fly, though. They glide, using their skin flaps like parachutes." They crossed a weathered old bridge over a river. A catfish briefly swam up from the depths. Leah pointed out the long whisker-like features by its mouth, which gave the fish its name. Then, just as Leah was thinking about stopping for a water break, she spotted some little green plants growing up from the soil. Plants that looked as if they had tiny fanged mouths…

"There they are!" she yelled, and they hurried over. "Are those the Venus flytraps?" Gustavo said. He kneeled down to peer at the hinged, open leaves with their long toothlike spines. "I thought they'd be bigger."