Learning with Granny!
Zoo's are fun too!
Granny opens her story this month at the zoo, where, after driving a short
distance from the museum, the group entered the car park. A man selling
candy-floss approached the car as they got out. Grandpa said "We'll have
seven please."
Everyone had a wonderful time at the zoo. They saw bears, a giraffe, buck,
elephants, tortoise, kangaroos, penguins, seals, swans, ducks, snakes, hippos,
vervet monkeys and lots of other interesting creatures including a huge
gorilla.
They saw some of the most beautiful birds, the best being the colorful
peacock, who spread open his magnificent tail feathers as if to greet them.
"You've got some of these animals at home in your collection haven't you
Margie" said Terry handing her little sister a tissue to wipe her sticky
pink hands.
" Yes I have" answered Margie turning to Ann "You must come and
see them one day Ann, we've got a hippo and a camel and an elephant and
a..........." Do have a look at the picture of
Margie's animals to the right - she's been called to look at the lions.
After seeing the family of lions resting in the sunshine, they arrived at the
chimpanzee's living area. "They are just like people' said Terry 'look at
the young one having a swing in the old tyre and the mother nursing her
baby"
"Chimpanzees are our closest relatives in the animal kingdom' said
Lee....who was interrupted by Ann, who stated, pulling up her nose - "I'm
not a relative of a chimpanzee". "You are" said Vinny looking at
Granny.
"He's right you know Ann" said Granny "we share a distant
ancestor way back when mammals were developing. We'll find out more about it
when we go into the Cenozoic Era which follows the Mesozoic Era and the
dinosaurs that we've just covered on out 'Time' trip.
 Ann blew out her cheeks in disgust. Margie said quietly "I don't mind if
the baby chimp is my cousin - he's so cute."
The sun was setting as they said good-bye to the animals and left the zoo.
Five tired young people fell fast asleep on the long road home. They woke with a
jolt as Grandpa slammed on his brakes. 'What's wrong" asked a startled Lee
as Grandpa switched off  the headlights.. He put them back on 'dim' and there in
front of the car, stood a beautiful buck. They waited for it
to move off the sand road and disappear into the long grass before continuing
their journey.
"Look!" yelled Vinny in Granny's ear. 'look - a rabbit'. "Oh
stop Grandpa, we want to see the bunny" pleaded Margie. But before Grandpa
had a chance to say "It's actually a hare" the little creature had
gone.
Nobody went back to sleep again, they were far too interested in keeping a
lookout for animals.
"We've seen a lot of different 'live' animals today" commented
Terry as she helped unpack the car.
"It would be nice to go and see animals in a game reserve" said
Vinny, determined to keep the conversation going. "I've been on a school
tour to a game reserve" added Lee. "You'll have to tell us all about it
sometime" said Granny - but I think we have all had enough for one day.
"goodnight everyone'
Next month Granny and the children take a closer look at the Cenozoic Era -
which extends from 65 MYA to 2 MYA. where we will find out something about
animal's ancestors.
This Month's Poem
Fun at the Zoo from A-Z
Enjoy the animals - but stay with your group..
-------------
The sun rises up on a brand new day
It's time for some animals to come out and play.
Others curl up and go to sleep
After hunting all night in the darkness deep.
The graceful Antelope shakes himself and yawns
And tosses his head with it's pointed horns.
Deep down in his sunken pool
The polar Bear bathes while the water's still cool.
--------------
A little Chipmunk with a nut between his paws
Comes out of his burrow after checking his stores.
A tall Dromedary with a single hump
Scratches herself on an old tree stump.
The loud trumpet sounds from the Elephant large
As he knocks down a tree in a single charge.
A cunning Fox - his bushy tail held high
Runs off with some meat he's stolen on the sly.
---------------
A great big Gorilla * stands and beats his chest
He's just telling all the others that he's the 'best'.
A huge Hippopotamus with a very thick skin.
Wallows in his pool and lets the day begin.
A sacred Ibis with a long curved bill
Searches in the water and eats her fill
A small gray Jackdaw sits way up high
From here he'll see everything there is to spy
--------------
A long tailed Kangaroo - far from her home
Keeps her baby close so it won't easily roam.
A big male Lion with a shaggy mane
One roar and the fact that he's king is plain
Monkeys by the dozens and of many a breed
Welcome the keeper when he brings their morning feed.
A small Nightingale curls up in his nest
After singing all night, he hopes to get some rest.
---------------
A fancy feathered Ostrich pulls his head out from a hole
As he hears the sound of breakfast being put into his bowl.
A party of Penguins looking very neat
Dive in and out the water then waddle on their feet.
We stood in the Queue where we waited for out tea
Homeade scones with cream and jam for everyone but me.
Then on to the Rhinoceros - a big horn on his nose
If you meet him in the wild, you'd best be on your toes.
---------------
Snakes of every size and sort slither behind glass.
Even though I know we're safe - these I'd rather pass.
I like the Tortoise best of all, a fine strong shell he wears.
He moves about so slowly and then he disappears.
U will love the Vervet monkeys - the friendliest little things
They climb and jump and run and play and swing upon their swings.
You can't help smiling at the style of the ugly Warthog
As determinedly he shoots up his tail and speeds off for a jog.
-----------------
In a very cold place we visit the Yak
- a hairy ox from Tibet .
In the mountains covered with ice and snow
his hair keeps him from getting wet..
Some Zebras graze in a shady field while others enjoy a game
Although all 'wear' black and white, no two are patterned the same.
A day at a Zoo is lots of fun - you'll learn all about the Earth
Where African animals share the sun with others of distant birth.
----------------------
Jenny Marais 01/03/2002
l
Granny suggest you visit this site:
Gorillacam at http://www.gorillacam.co.za
If you would like to e-mail Granny
your questions and ideas please do so at granny@scienceinafrica.co.za
Until Next Month, Happy Reading!
Granny Jenny
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