What Animals Can Do

Some animals hunt for food. Animals that eat other animals have strong jaws, and sharp teeth and claws. Some animals, such as the tiger, hunt alone. Others, such as wolves, hunt in a group, called a “pack.”
Many animals can run fast. Most fast runners have long, strong legs. Some hunters run fast to catch other animals and eat them. Other animals can run fast to get away from danger. The cheetah is the fastest animal on land; it can run 114 kilometers per hour!
Many animals can swim if they have to. Some land and sea animals are very strong and fast swimmers. Fish and sea animals are naturally good swimmers. Fish breathe underwater. Sea animals, like the whale, have to come to the surface to breathe.
Some animals hide so that their enemies cannot see them. Other animals hide so that they cannot be seen by the animals they hunt. Animals that hide often have markings on their bodies which make them hard to see in their hiding places. Snakes have markings that help them hide in trees or on the ground; polar bears are white, so they can easily hide in the snow.
There are many animals that come out at night to hunt for food. These animals hide and sleep during the day. Most animals that come out at night have eyes that can see well in the dark. They move around quietly. The owl is a bird that catches mice and rabbits at night; the possum also eats at night and it has big eyes that help it to see well in the dark.

Derived from “What Animals Can Do” (1997) by Peter and Sheryl Sloan.
Clip art from Microsoft Clip Art.
http://163.24.40.22/englishvillage2009/upload/行政公告/98_11_24_WhatAnimalsCanDo.doc


Did you understand…?

1. What animal has sharp teeth and claws?
a. A horse
b. A tiger
c. An elephant

2. Animals that have long, strong legs are
good _____?
a. Swimmers
b. Hunters
c. Runners

3. What do snakes and polar bears like to do?
a. They like to eat
b. They like to hide
c. They like to play games