Extreme Animals

Extreme Animals

Many unusual animals have special stories to tell. They seem to go to extremes to get noticed. Something about each of these animals makes them different from other types of animals. It might be an ability, or a special talent, that makes them stand out. Is it their speed or their size-or even their coloration? One is as tall as a two-story house, and another is as small as a mouse. Maybe one can jump higher or hide in a small space; or they can see farther or scream louder. This book tells many odd, unknown, and fun facts about these unusual animals, and what makes them different and special. Read on to learn about some of the most extreme animals in the world.

Biggest A giant blue whale is as long as half of a football field. It is the largest mammal to inhabit the Earth--now or ever. Its body is so heavy that it has to be supported by water. If it were a land animal instead, a blue whale would be crushed by its own weight. A baby elephant can weigh 136 kilograms (300 lbs) when it's born, and it will keep growing for thirty years. An average-sized adult elephant weighs as much as two pickup trucks, but some extra-large elephants have weighed twice as much. A grown male can reach a height of over fifteen feet. An adult giraffe is as tall as a two-story house. Its long, powerful neck and long legs make it the tallest land animal anywhere. A baby giraffe is already 1. 8 meters (6 ft) tall when it's born.

Smallest A little Chihuahua looks as if it's all ears! This friendly little dog is so small that it can fit into your pocket and go along with you wherever you go. It has a sweet temperament, but it's very brave and will bark at dogs that are many times its tiny size. The tiny bee hummingbird is so small that it weighs less than the water in a teaspoon. From the tip of its long beak to the end of its tail, it measures less than 5 centimeters (2 in) long. The big-eyed tarsier monkey can be as small as a mouse. It lives in the hottest rainforests and sleeps in trees during the warmest part of the day. The tiny tarsier hunts for its food at night, when its big eyes provide excellent night vision.

Loudest A blue whale's cry, or song, is as loud as the noise of a rocket being launched. It will sing for as long as ten hours- and its sound can be heard far away in the ocean. A howler monkey earns its name. It uses its piercing howl at the beginning and end of each day to claim territory and to announce the best food locations. The howl can be heard by other monkeys up to 8 kilometers (5 mi) away. Quietest A tall, long-legged giraffe is one of the quietest animals. It isn't quiet because it's shy-it just doesn't use its voice. Instead of sounds, a giraffe communicates with body language.

Longest Life The big, slow, tortoise that lives in the Galapagos Islands has a lot of time to explore its island home from one end to the other-as it can live for 150 to 200 years. Shortest Life A mayfly usually lives only one day after it hatches into an adult insect. It has a lot to do during its short life, including finding a mate. It doesn't stop to eat or drink! Slowest Snails don't hurry for any reason. You could take a nap or read a story while a garden snail slowly crawls across your shoe.